"There are no strangers here; Only friends you have yet to meet."
-William Butler Yeats
Chapter 7 Triumvirate
Harry Potter felt the sweat roll down his face, gripping the Keyblade tightly, nervously. He couldn't tell where his opponent was... never could-
A sudden crackle of air and dirt caused him to spin around-
Far too late.
THWACK!
The force of the weapon smashed into his chest, sending the Boy-Who-Lived careening backwards, reeling from the blow. Without mercy, his opponent disappeared again, and brought the impromptu weapon down on his skull.
Stars burst across his darkening vision, and his teeth clacked together painfully.
Harry groaned, rubbing his head where his sparring partner had bashed it in. "Merlin's beard Hiei, you didn't have to hit so hard." He grumbled.
"Well, if you'd like me to use a sword next time, I'd be happy to do so." The demon replied, smirking down on him, waving the hated stick.
It had barely been two days since he began his training, and already, he was waking up in the morning, bruised and battered. Even the potions that the castle supplied couldn't keep all the pain away.
Of course, it wasn't all swordplay. There was lessons on how to pilot the ship from Washu, tactics and strategy with Kurama, plus magic lessons with Ritz.
After another moment, Harry looked back up, and glanced at Hiei. The demon had taken over part of the swordplay lessons, and was even more ruthless than Ritz had been. His gaze was drawn towards the bandages that Hiei always wore over his right arm. Something about it just screamed power... a dark kind.
When he had inquired about it, the demon had responded with a particularly ruthless training session.
"Get up." Hiei said, his tone irrefutable.
With a sigh, Harry staggered to his feet.
"Hello Harry." The Boy-Who-Lived looked up from his lunch, blinking slowly at Kurama.
"Oh, hey Kurama. What's up?" he asked, knowing that lessons weren't till later.
Smiling, the fox demon reached into his pocket, retrieving a small, completely opaque orb. At Harry's perplexed look, Kurama explained. "We found this a few days ago. It's creating massive energy readings, but so far, no one's been able to find out how to unlock it."
"And you think I can? Why?" Harry questioned, pausing to drink slowly out of his goblet.
"Because you are the Keybearer. And this orb is not just powerful, but there is also a human soul, or heart, if you will, within it. And you can unlock that heart and use its power to aid you." As he finished, Kurama set down the orb, continuing to smile gently. "Pick it up, Harry."
Hesitantly, the Keybearer grasped the gem with slow, careful fingers, and then gasped as he felt a surge of power roar within him, and...
A Heartbeat.
"There is someone in there... someone very kind and powerful." His eyes clouded, and he said quietly, "It's called the Angel of Destruction."
Kurama said nothing and showed no surprise, merely evaluating the strange boy before him.
"I see." After a moment, he continued, "Harry, how long have you had the Keyblade?"
Blinking, the Boy-Who-Lived replied, "Only an hour or so before I fell into the void..."
Now it was the fox demon's turn to look surprise. "Really? It could seem to most that you've been using it for much, much longer, with the way the abilities of the Keybearer come to you."
"I really don't know. My... my teacher once told me that this power dwelled in my heart, in my love... but I never understood what he meant." Harry admitted, eyes and tone downcast.
"You will, in time, I believe." Kurama smiled gently. "Now, I believe you have a lesson with Miss Ritz next."
Harry nearly leapt out of his seat, knowing that the pink haired girl would be furious if he was late.
Different... everything was different.
Inuyasha's eyes snapped open, panic filling his golden eyes. "KAGOME!"
His claws tore into the unfamiliar material, his nose filled with strange scents, his ears ringing with thousands of sounds.
With his eyes fogged over, he could not see, and leapt away, hairs bristling, a low growl in his throat, a flash of red in his eyes.
And then-
"Calm yourself." The voice was cool and hard, and smelled of a kitsune, a fox demon.
The half demon blinked. "Shippo?" he asked hesitantly.
"I am not Shippo." The voice responded, only a small trace of amusement in its voice.
Blinking again, the image of a red haired young man came into focus. "Who are you?" Inuyasha demanded, hand reaching for Tetsusaiga and finding it missing. "And where's my sword!"
"Your sword is over there." The fox demon responded. "And my name is Kurama."
Glancing back hesitantly, Inuyasha was relieved to find his sword, and immediately grasped it, pulling the blade free-
Only to find Tetsusaiga remaining in its katana form. "What the... What have you done to my sword!" he demanded angrily, waving the blade about.
"We have done nothing." Kurama replied, a trace of exasperated anger in his tone. "Now, I'll ask you again to calm yourself."
"The hell I-"
"Please, both of you. Calm down." A cool, serene voice interrupted.
Inuyasha and Kurama froze, and watched as a woman almost glided into the room, her pink dress swishing about her body, in a dignity that outrivaled even Kikyo's ceremonial demeanor. She smiled at him apologetically. "I am sorry if you have been startled by your new surroundings. My name is Zelda, and I am the ruler of this place."
"Where's Kagome?" Inuyasha asked roughly, as if he hadn't heard. "What did you do with her and to my sword!"
"You came to us in this condition. You were alone." Zelda said calmly, unaffected.
Inuyasha froze, and remembered.
His eyes closed and his fist clenched over Tetsusaiga, which felt heavier than it had ever been.
That's right. He'd failed her.
As though the queen could see his sorrow, she spoke again.
"I'm so sorry."
"Concentrate Harry!" Ritz snapped, eyes flashing and hair whipping around her.
Sweat rolled down his closed eyes, and the Boy-Who-Lived resisted the urge to blink. To do so would break the energy he had gathered.
Currently, he was holding the Keyblade in a basic sword position, in front of his pelvis, pointing diagonally away from his body. The currents of magic were flowing around him, a sense he had learned so quickly he wondered how he could have missed it.
"Feel it flowing through you, and fill it with passion. Unleash the element!" Ritz shouted.
His eyes clenched tighter, and Harry forced his will into the magic, letting it flow. It was like trying to push water.
"Do it now!"
Snapping his eyes open, Harry thrust the Keyblade into the air, directly above himself. "FIRE!"
A ball of flame, no bigger than his head hurled itself from the Keyblade, soaring into the air, finally dissipating far overhead in a shower of sparks.
With a loud sigh of exhaustion, he plopped down into the soft grass, sweat rolling off of him in waves. "Whew... I did it." Harry muttered, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand. He felt his body aching, and didn't think he could move a finger anymore.
Of course, his instructor did not feel the same way.
"Do it again."
Groaning, Harry stood once more.
Harry stumbled towards his room, completely numb with exhaustion as he blindly staggered toward through the corridor.
So great was his exhaustion that he only barely had time to register a blur of red before someone knocked into him.
Staggering backwards, the Boy-Who-Lived barely managed to hold himself upright, and jerked his head toward the person who rammed into him.
Irritated emerald eyes met clouded gold.
The pain in those eyes reminded him of those had lost as well. After a moment, Harry's eyes flickered towards the other's ears.
They were white furred dog ears.
He stared for a moment, so long that the other boy snapped irritably, "What are you looking at?"
Forgetting his indignation at the rude remark, Harry blinked, and asked, "Who are you?" he was dressed in a blood red- kimono, if Harry remembered correctly, and his pants were of the same color, and puffed out quite a bit, making him seem bigger than he was. A red sash was tied around the other boy's waist, holding in place a katana, and his brilliant silver hair came down to past his waist.
Inuyasha stared for a moment, unable to believe the boy had simply stared and then dismissed his obviously strange appearance. "Inuyasha." He responded, still slightly bewildered. His own eyes stared at the boys lightning shaped scar with a hint of wonder, before returning to meet the intense green.
"My name's Harry. Harry Potter." The Boy-Who-Lived stared at him again. "Are you lost?" he questioned. "Or are you new here?"
"Both." The half demon replied gruffly, in a tone that Harry hadn't heard spoken to him since he came here. It was a tone of a complete stranger who knew nothing about you.
Harry's exhaustion was forgotten, and a strange tingling like Destiny was in his gut. "If you want, I could show you around..."
Inuyasha hesitated, aware that the boy's presence made him feel remarkably comfortable, as though he had a hidden warmth.
"Whatever." The half demon said, only half meaning it.
"Quite a strange pair." Kurama murmured, his eyes watching the half demon and the Keybearer curiously. "I would never have thought those two could get along."
"I think it's quite good for him," Queen Zelda replied, her eyes soft and tone almost motherly. "He needs a friend. And we can't fulfill the role of friend and teacher at the same time."
"I suppose." The fox demon said doubtfully. He was less inclined to like the half-demon than the queen. "Will you let him take the half demon to other worlds? He seems unstable... and his weapon is powerless."
The Queen of Destiny merely smiled knowingly. "Power calls to power, Kurama. There's something in that boy, Inuyasha, that speaks of great power, and greater compassion. He will prove his worth."
He was quiet for a moment. "I will trust your judgement." Kurama said finally.
Warmth... she was encased in a warmth that felt like the embrace of Heaven itself.
"I thinks she's coming to, Big Brother."
"Oh good."
The sound of unfamiliar voices caused her eyes to snap open in a flash, in a way that only years of dogmatic training could accomplish. Within a flash, she stood straight up, letting the sheets fall away from her.
"Easy... we're friends, we're not going to hurt you." A deep voice, yet gentle spoke assuredly, and strong hands pushed her back down.
Something about it spoke of kinship, not in the tone or sound, but in an underlying quality.
"Where... where am I?" Robin asked slowly, trying to take in her surroundings. Rock, rock, rock was all she could see.
"Within Goron City, in the heart of Death Mountain. To have come so deep into the Temple of Fire and not known, you must be an offworlder." The first voice spoke knowingly. Her eyes came to rest upon a large, not just physically but with an aura of bigness, creature with tanned earthy skin that looked hard and coarse, and two small black eyes.
"I am Darunia, but you can call me Big Brother. Everyone does." He said cheerily.
"Thank you for helping me." The witch said gratefully, bowing her head respectfully. "I am in your debt."
Darunia laughed, a deep, warm sound. "No need to sound so formal," he assuaged, "And I am happy to help anyone, especially one who has so much connection to my temple."
The way he talked about the temple, it wasn't possessiveness- it was divine mandate.
"What is this temple?" Robin questioned curiously.
"Its an ancient thing, the place in which we pay homage to Fire, from which the race of Gorons were birthed at the chaos of beginnings." Darunia recited sagely. "It is one of the focal points of energy in Hyrule and a keystone of the fabric of this world."
"Hy... Hyrule?" she stuttered, confused.
At her look, he chuckled, his voice rebounding about the chamber. "It is the name of our world. And you, I take it, are not of it."
"So let me get this straight," Inuyasha drawled, raising a black eyebrow, which clashed oddly with his silver hair. "There's this bastard called Voldemort, a human, running around destroying the worlds. And he commands those... Heartless. And you, another human, are the Keybearer, some sort of hero."
"You know, when you say it like that, it sounds insane." Harry replied slowly, sarcastically. "But yes, that's about it."
Inuyasha's fist clenched, and he shook with anger. So this Voldemort took Kagome away... he looked down at his claws.
So helpless. A failure.
No.
No.
He would find her.
And he would make whoever took her pay.
"Where is he!" Inuyasha demanded, grabbing Harry's shirt roughly.
"I don't know." The Keybearer replied irritably. Even his scar hadn't been acting up lately, aside from a tiny, ever present heat in his forehead. "Now would you let go?"
The half demon paused, as if unwilling, before he let go. "I'm coming with you." He said briskly. "I..." he hesitated, and then his voice strengthened, "I'm looking for someone."
Harry, to his credit, did not push further, instead happy that he would have a friend to aid him. "Of course."
"You're beginning to veer twenty degrees to the right, Harry." A mechanical voice chimed reproachfully.
Gritting his teeth, Harry responded thickly, "Thank you Gilliam." It had been two weeks since he'd arrived here, and still that voice bugged him to no end.
"My pleasure, Harry." The Artificial Intelligence responded. Gilliam, the system for the ship Harry would be piloting, Outlaw Star, was incredibly intelligent.
Problem was, they probably should have made its personality a bit more... alive.
Currently, the Boy-Who-Lived was immersed in a virtual training session, not actually piloting the ship. The navigation system apparently depended on a delicate young woman who had been found unconscious inside the ship when it arrived, so this was the most troubling problem Washu and Ed had encountered in modifying the ship.
A small window popped up on the display screen, and Harry, trying to remember the tutorial, watched it on his peripheral vision.
On it was a pink bush of hair. "Heya Harry," Washu greeted cheerfully. "Enjoying the system?" her voice was just the tiniest bit sly and smug.
Harry did not dignify that with a response.
As if he had spoken, she continued, "Well, I'm just letting you know that tomorrow, Kurama and Hiei are going to take you to Goron City. You can bring that boy, Inuyasha if you want." The eccentric genius said, smiling through nearly closed eyes.
That caused Harry a small bit of surprise. "Why?" he asked, and his eyes flickered to the display screen.
"Because Hiei wants to put you through a real life combat situation in Hyrule field, and because the queen doesn't trust you alone with Hiei." Washu replied in a matter-of-fact tone. "And the Gorons want to meet you." She added, as an afterthought.
Harry nodded, and felt a bit better, feeling that he was doing something.
Even if it was going into battle.
"Over and out," the genius laughed, and the connection terminated.
There was silence for a moment.
"Ten degrees."
"Thank you, Gilliam!"
The next morning was bright and sunny, and Harry felt better than he had in a while, stepping out of the castle gates and onto the road into town. He'd never ventured into Castletown before, and was eager to see new sights.
Next to him, Inuyasha had crossed his arms over his head, and looked bored.
Kurama was walking behind them, and Hiei was probably following them somewhere, like a shadow.
As they stepped into the marketplace, Harry and Inuyasha both drew stares- Harry because he was the Keybearer, and Inuyasha for his appearance.
The Boy-Who-Lived was used to being stared at- he didn't like it, but could ignore it easily enough.
Inuyasha, on the other hand... "What are you looking at?" he snarled, sending a few citizens scattering. Harry chuckled under his breath.
"Stupid humans," the half demon muttered.
"Kurama," Harry began, and the fox demon turned a quizzical eye toward him, "How many of the people here are refugees from another world?"
"Not very many, though our numbers grow with each passing day." Kurama replied, sighing. "Most of us are doing various work- guarding the city, patrolling, and some of us have even opened up shops or begun working in one."
Harry felt a trickle of guilt. He wanted so badly to help these people- he needed to see their faces.
"Could we... have a look around?" the Boy-Who-Lived asked.
Inuyasha shot him an unreadable look, but Kurama nodded. "We can take a few minutes to look around, I suppose."
After a few minutes of walking Harry's footsteps led him down an alleyway where a small bookshop lay, and within, a strange power. On a whim, he decided to enter.
Stepping inside, the Boy-Who-Lived's eyes wandered around the bookshelves that groaned under the weight of hundreds of tomes. In fact, there was a pile of books that was actually moving...
"Hello? Is there someone there?" the books spoke.
"Uh... yeah! Where are you?" Harry asked, looking around.
A deluge of paper slammed into the floor, and a young woman, a few years older than him, tumbled forth from the formerly precariously placed pile of books. "Oh no! I dropped my glasses!" she yelped, and scrambled about for them.
Harry, having been in the situation many times before, smiled, amused, before he bent down and picked them up for her. They were black, squarish glasses that were quite thick. "Here you are." He said kindly.
She gave a small cheer, and grasped them, placing them on her face. "Thank you," she said gratefully, smiling as she stood. Her light brown, tanned coat swished as she did. Beneath, she wore a black skirt, a brown sweater a few shades darker than her coat, and a collared shirt and red tie.
"This, Harry, is Yomiko Readman." Kurama said, smiling, obviously having seen this sort of antic before. Next to him, Inuyasha leaned into the doorway, looking away.
"Oh! You must be the Keybearer!" Yomiko gasped, and grasped his hand tightly. "I'm so glad to meet you!"
"Ni-nice to meet you too..." Harry stuttered. He could have sworn Inuyasha snickered, but he himself offset by the way that her being buried in so many books reminded him of Hermione. "So... do you work here?"
She nodded. "I love reading. On my world, I was a substitute teacher, but here, they don't have a real formalized school system, so I work here."
"I'm sorry about your world." Harry apologized, looking downwards, feeling guilty again.
"Thank you." Yomiko replied sincerely. "So, are you looking for anything in particular?"
"I'm afraid not. We were merely passing through." Kurama said, nodding. "We should probably get going."
"Wait!" she said, and turned around, burying herself within a pile of books for a moment. When she returned, a small, leather bound book was in her hands. She pressed it into Harry's hands softly.
"You're certain to have a lot of adventures. Do you mind keeping a journal? I think it would be a wonderful story, and true too!" Harry blinked in surprise, taking the book in hand.
"Uh... thanks." He said, unsure.
"It was nice meeting you!" Yomiko said, bowing slightly. Harry smiled and waved.
Harry didn't exactly know what to expect as he stepped out onto the grassy plains of Hyrule Field. The massive grassland was so expansive, yet he couldn't see a single Heartless.
"Where's the enemy?" he asked, glancing at Kurama.
Instead of the fox demon answering, Hiei chose to respond. "They're here." he said, appearing next to Kurama without a noise.
Inuyasha tensed up at those words, eager to let out some of the pain he was feeling.
As if those words were a starting gun, five small, bug-like shadows, the ones Harry had fought before, rose from the ground.
"Now this is what I'm talking about." Inuyasha grinned ferally, and cracked his claws. Tetsusaiga might have been useless, but the half demon had lived on his own strength before.
Harry summoned the Keyblade, while Kurama and Hiei hung back, causing the Boy-Who-Lived to look at them quizzically.
"We will observe," Kurama explained. "These are Shadow Heartless... not too threatening."
Inuyasha moved first, and tore through the air, claws outstretched. "IRON REAVER SOUL STEALER!" his claws left behind three golden crescents, tearing through two Heartless without mercy.
Harry, stunned by the attack, came next, and with a spin strike, sent a third Shadow into oblivion. As a fourth hurled itself towards him, the Keybearer narrowed his eyes, thrusting the Keyblade forward.
"FREEZE!" a gust of arctic wind froze the Heartless a second before it would have struck, and it fell to the floor, shattering.
Even as Inuyasha's claws tore through the fifth Shadow, three more were already rising from the ground.
"Damn them!" the half demon shouted furiously, "Stop wasting my time! Iron Reaver Soul Stealer!"
Two Heartless fell apart, dissolving into black smoke.
Harry leapt backwards, using the Keyblade to block the claws of the final Shadow. With gritted teeth, he pushed it backwards, feeling the anger coursing through his veins as he lashed out with blinding speed, far faster than he ever had been before.
The Shadow didn't stand a chance.
Breathing hard, Harry felt the adrenaline leaving him with nothing but a sense of weary accomplishment. He cracked a smile, and looked into the sky.
Ron... Hermione... that one was for you guys. I swear I'll find a way to bring you back.
No matter what.
Being the only human in a party of demons (or in Inuyasha's case, half demon), Harry was the first to tire, staggering up the slopes of Death Mountain.
"Oi, what's the hold up?" Inuyasha called back, glancing back at the panting, sweating Boy-Who-Lived with annoyance.
"Go. To. Hell." Harry gritted out, using the Keyblade as a makeshift staff as he dug it into the ground to balance himself.
Kurama suppressed a smile, and grabbed the Keybearer's hand, helping him up a particularly difficult slope.
Suddenly, the ground began to shake, and the group watched as a stampede of boulders rampaged down the bare dirt slope.
"Oh balls." Harry swore, and lifted the Keyblade, glancing at Kurama and Hiei.
Inuyasha merely scoffed and leapt forward, destroying a boulder with a single swing of his fist.
Kurama pulled a rose from his hair, much to Harry's surprise, which turned into shock as it became a lengthy stem, covered in thorns. "Rose whip!" the fox demon shouted, and cleaved apart several boulders in rapid succession.
Hiei, much like Inuyasha, looked bored as he ripped his sword from its sheath and sliced the rocks apart.
"Show offs." Harry muttered, feeling a bit left out.
"So you're the Keybearer," Darunia laughed deeply, and slammed Harry's back with enough playful (mind you, playful) force to send him stumbling forward, out of breath.
"Y-yeah," he managed, sputtering and wheezing.
As if the leader of the Gorons didn't even notice (and he probably didn't), Darunia laughed again. "Bit thin, but yer definitely special." There was a twinkling knowledge in the Goron's warm black eyes that made Harry believe.
"Y'know what?" Darunia suddenly said, a very, very bright smile on his large, lizard-like face. "Its not every day that someone like you comes around, and if you're going to do what you say you will..." he laughed, and clapped his hands together. "I'll make you my Brother!"
Harry blinked. Inuyasha blinked. Even Kurama blinked. Hiei stared.
The Gorons, on the other hand, looked stunned.
"Uh... what's that?" Harry asked, confused.
Some of the older Gorons looked rather offended at the Keybearer's words, but Darunia simply laughed again. "I mean it just like that. You'll be my brother, an honorary member of our tribe, and what's more, my friend." He grinned. "So how 'bout it?"
Stunned by such a generous offer, Harry could hardly refuse. "Of course." He grinned.
"Excellent," the Goron leader smiled happily. "Now, please, feel free to look around our city. You must be tired from the journey."
The travelers thanked Darunia, and left the chamber.
As they left, one Goron approached. "Big Brother... why did-"
"Because Zelda was right." Darunia interrupted, smiling in a reminiscent sort of way. "He really is just like him. And what I said was true. I really did want someone like that as my Brother."
His smile widened. "I always do."
Harry wandered about the city, with a bored looking Inuyasha behind him. Kurama had retired to their quarters, while Hiei had just upped and vanished.
Gorons milled about, seemingly unconcerned with anything, as though there wasn't some calamity just beyond the borders of this world, waiting to befall them.
It made Harry feel like there really was a chance to save the worlds.
As he walked about, he suddenly paused, noticing a human girl, one with light orange hair, staring intently at the wall, lips pursed and face scrunched in concentration, as though there was something that should have been happening.
Her clothing, Harry noticed, was different. It was dark dress, a mixture of shades of black, which nearly covered her entire body in a concealing sort of way. The red-brown coat over the dress was leather, Harry guessed.
Inuyasha, being a bit more vocal than the Boy-Who-Lived, suddenly said loudly, "What are you doing over there, you stupid girl?"
The girl jumped as though startled, and turned towards them. Harry's emerald eyes found a second pair of emeralds, and for a moment, he almost believed he could have been staring at his mother. But then the features came into view, Italian with a few traits that Harry noticed were more Japanese than European.
She was pale, very pale, and yet despite her frail appearance, something about her presence was... almost unnerving, yet full of hope.
"Sorry about my friend," Harry added, elbowing Inuyasha and frowning disapprovingly, "He's just like that."
"It's fine." The girl said, bowing. "I haven't met any other humans since I came here and-" she paused, and noticed Inuyasha's ears for the first time. Sucking in a breath, she took an involuntary step back.
"Wha-what is he?" she asked, more confused than afraid.
"Inuyasha's a half demon." Harry explained, when Inuyasha turned away, looking miffed. Leaning a bit forwards, he added quietly, "He's a bit touchy about it, though."
"I heard that!" the half demon snapped, causing Harry to jump.
"Oh... and I'm Harry. Harry Potter." The Boy-Who-Lived added, glancing at her to see a reaction.
He didn't get any, which caused him undue surprise. It was like these two people were the only ones who'd never heard a whit about him before he met them.
He smiled. "What's your name?"
"Robin. Robin Sena." She bowed slightly, and then glanced over at Inuyasha.
Robin, with a curious look on her face, stepped forward cautiously, and, as though she couldn't help herself, did the one thing Harry had honestly never seen before.
She touched Inuyasha's ears, squeezed them, and played with them for a moment.
What is it with women and doing that! Inuyasha thought, irritated. "Hey! No touching!" he barked, waving her hands away.
Robin smiled slightly. "Sorry about that." She apologized, slightly red. "I couldn't help myself."
Grunting, the half demon turned aside. "Yeah, well... don't do it again."
Harry leaned in again. "He's not really all that bad. Just a bit on the gruff side." He mock whispered, and Robin giggled.
"I heard that Harry!" Inuyasha snarled, and leapt for the Boy-Who-Lived, who dodged aside, laughing.
Nearby, Robin couldn't help herself, and started giggling madly, holding her sides, feeling better than she had in a while.
The Keybearer's playful laughter, the half demon's angry shouts, and the witch's giggles mixed together to form a single, wonderful harmony that echoed around the Universe.
It didn't take much cajoling to get Robin to come back to Castletown with them. The witch said a very grateful goodbye to Darunia, Inuyasha merely grunted, and Harry decided that he must have broken a few ribs from Darunia's goodbye hug.
Honestly, and he had once thought Mrs. Weasley's hugs were tight.
Harry smiled a bit. He was able to think of someone from his world without pain. It wasn't Ron or Hermione or Ginny, but it was still someone.
On the way back, Robin related a bit more about herself, more upon Hiei's demands than Harry's request.
The Boy-Who-Lived was taken aback when Robin said she was a witch, and was only more confused when the girl conjured up a few sparks, calling it a Craft. Frowning, she had stated she could usually conjure up a bit more, but for some reason, was unable to.
Harry mentioned that Inuyasha's sword was also unusable, earning a glare from the half demon and a contemplative look from Kurama.
They, in turn, explained to Robin the situation with the Keybearer and the worlds, mentioning Harry's plan to go out into different worlds and save people.
With Kurama usually withdrawn into his own thoughts and Hiei disappeared, Robin, Harry, and Inuyasha spent more time together, growing more comfortable with each other, to the point where Harry asked Robin if she would come along with him and Inuyasha to other worlds, wanting to go with these two people who knew him first as Harry, Keybearer second.
Robin smiled and agreed, saying that, "Of course. I want to help those people. And... and there's someone I got separated from on my world. Maybe he's on a different one."
Inuyasha shot her an unreadable look, and acted a bit less... gruff with her after that.
And so it was that Harry Potter, Robin Sena, and Inuyasha met.
Harry ducked low, letting Hiei's stick soar over his head, feeling the wind brush his hair.
"Too slow." The demon commented, and swung downwards, only to be blocked by the Keyblade.
The Boy-Who-Lived grinned. Hiei didn't even look affected as he disappeared again.
Harry, now more used to his sparring partner's incredible speed, compensated, managing a bare, just a second before impact block again, spinning around.
Again, the demon was unruffled, disappearing, waiting for his chance to strike again.
Despite his ability to now block high speed attacks and almost keep up with an extremely powerful demon like Hiei, Harry knew he was still not capable of winning this fight. He had nothing to compensate for Hiei's speed. A spell might work, but there was no way he'd be able to connect unless the demon was attacking, in which case he could not cast it in time to strike.
He looked down at the Keyblade. If only there was a way to stun Hiei long enough to attack...
A smile lit up Harry's face as he dodged Hiei's next attack, already planning. It was crazy, completely illogical- and perfectly him.
Noticing this, Inuyasha elbowed Robin slightly. "Ya think he's got something up his sleeve?" Inuyasha asked, glancing at Robin.
"Maybe," the witch answered, watching with interest.
Harry closed his eyes, letting the magic flow around him. This was a bit of a risk... but risky experimentation had gotten him out of a few scrapes before.
Magic pulsed into the Keyblade, angry and strong. A rush of wind told Harry of Hiei's approach, and the Boy-Who-Lived's eyes snapped open, and he took short jump upwards, and slammed the Keyblade into the ground.
"Stun Impact!"
Hiei's eyes widened as a dome of indigo energy surged forward, slamming into him and stunning him instantly.
He barely had time to recover when the Keyblade slammed into the stick, disarming him, and then with one movement, into his stomach, sending the demon tumbling backwards.
Harry's eyes widened and he stared, almost unable to believe he'd finally won a match. Unbidden, a joyous shout of laughter burst from his lips, and he grinned like a little kid, even as he fell down on his butt, exhausted.
Hiei stood, looking a bit dazed but otherwise unharmed. "Acceptable. Take a five minute break."
Inuyasha and Robin snickered.
Harry groaned, and fell into the grass, letting the sweat fall like a slow rain.
At least he got a break this time.
"We've done our best to fix up the navigation system," Washu began, looking a bit put out, "But without the girl, Melfina, the ship won't function as well. The best we can manage is a limited one that locates doorways to each world. We've hypothesized that these are what allow Heartless into a world, and so should allow you in."
Harry and Robin listened with interest. Inuyasha looked bored.
The half demon and the witch had been given some training in handling the ship's other controls, Robin more so than Inuyasha, since she was used to technology that was closer to this level.
Since it would be the three of them going to different worlds, they all had to attend these briefing sessions.
"You'd best remain inconspicuous," Zelda said, stepping forward. "It would not be prudent to scare those you are trying to save."
"How are you going to manage that?" Inuyasha asked snidely, "After all, we can't exactly hide that ship."
Subtly kicking the half demon's shin, Washu merely smiled sweetly as he howled in pain "We've managed to hook up a teleportation system as well. It'll transfer you to and from the ship. Harry, you get the control. Make sure not to leave it behind!"
"Why him?" Inuyasha asked, rubbing his knee irritably.
"Because he's the most trustworthy, of course." Washu said in a matter-of-fact tone. "No offense Robin."
Inuyasha's eyebrow twitched.
Barely able to keep from laughing, Robin managed a breathless, "None taken."
Harry, as he did from time to time in this hectic, strange, and sort of insane time at the castle, spent some quiet time at Ginny's bedside. No matter how busy his day got, he tried as often as he could to visit her.
To remind himself that there were people he needed to save.
To remind himself that there was someone who needed his help.
To remind himself of what had been lost.
"It looks like we're getting ready to leave." He murmured quietly, and absentmindedly brushed a strand of hair from her peaceful face. He felt oddly right by doing it, as though it was something only he should be able to do. "I don't know if I'm ready for it, Ginny." He paused, and his face hardened as he took her hand.
Ginny's hand was cool and smooth in his now calloused, rough hand.
The Boy-Who-Lived pressed her cool palm into his forehead, and whispered. "But I promise that I'll find a way to get your heart back. I won't let anything else happen to you. And... and I promise that I'll find the Heart of All Worlds and undo all of this."
Ginny's lips seemed to curve upwards into a gentle smile.
"I swear it Ginny. I swear it on my life."
And may God have mercy on Voldemort when next we meet... because I won't.
He'll never take anything from me again.
Ever.
Zelda leaned against the doorway, feeling guilty for watching such an intimate moment. Still, she had come here for a reason.
"Harry?" she said gently, so as not to startle the Keybearer.
The Boy-Who-Lived looked up, startled and slightly red as he dropped Ginny's hand a bit hastily. "Ye-yes?" he asked, stammering as he stood.
"Before you leave, I wish to bequeath a few gifts to you. These may come in handy out there." Smiling, the Queen pulled a brown package from behind her back. "Go on," she urged gently, "Open it."
Feeling both pleasantly happy and embarrassed by the gesture, Harry opened the package slowly, delicately. Several items lay inside. First and foremost was a single, deep brown pouch that looked like it would fit on his belt.
Unable to stop himself, Harry looked up at the Queen with mild surprise. She smiled and chuckled.
"It's magic, Harry." She explained, amused. "It's a gift from my friend from the forest, Saria." The way she said friend from the forest, there was a trace of wistfulness, as though she wanted to be talking about someone else. "It can hold a lot more than it looks."
Remembering that on his own world, magic could accomplish the same thing, Harry didn't dismiss the idea, and easily accepted it.
Beneath that was a thin green tunic, brilliant as a spring forest. "Its woven from a synthesis of fibers," Zelda said, "Something Washu is working on. Hyrule has two special cloths- one that allows you to breathe underwater, and one that lets you endure tremendous heat. She's mixed that with the webs of the Skulltula, which is exceptionally strong and resilient. Together, it's a rather powerful blend."
Stunned, Harry managed a breathless, "Thank you."
The Queen merely waved her hand. "You're our last hope, Harry. Our only hope. Its only right that we do everything we can to support you. We can't spare anyone to send with you, but I hope that we can be of some use."
"You've done a lot for me." Harry paused, swallowed, and glanced at Ginny. "For both of us," he added meaningfully. "I'm grateful."
"Now, now, you haven't even looked at the last gift." Zelda cautioned, smiling gently.
Harry moved aside the folded tunic to find a single object. It was small football shape with a single protrusion, with a hole at the end. Four more holes dotted the rest of the shape.
"What is it?" the Boy-Who-Lived asked quietly.
"Its an instrument called an ocarina." She smiled slightly. "It has no special powers, no attributes. Its merely something that I think you might enjoy."
Zelda paused, and seemed a bit torn for a moment. "I won't impose this on you. In fact, this is too presumptuous of me." She stood, and reached for the ocarina. I'm comparing him too much to-
"No... I'd like to try, once in a while. And if I can't, at least I'll have a keepsake from the castle." Harry smiled.
Swallowing down a bit of self-recrimination, the Queen nodded.
The day they left was bright and sunny, as though the Sun itself came forth to wish them luck.
Harry, Inuyasha, and Robin stepped out into the front lawns of Hyrule Castle to a massive crowd, who cheered them like they had already won.
Robin ducked her head, embarrassed. Inuyasha scoffed and turned his head away. Harry blushed and shakily waved.
Nearest to the ship were those who had the most hope to pin on these three teens. The refugees. Yomiko cheered and waved. Kurama smiled at them. Hiei was nowhere to be found, as usual. Washu grinned and whooped with the best of them. Queen Zelda stood closest, smiling serenely.
And other faces, people Harry wished he had time to meet. Their faces blurred and yet he tried to memorize each one, trying to remember those he was trying to help.
One pair that stood out was a ten year old boy, spectacled and short, who cheered and jumped, much to the irritation of his teenage companion, whose face twisted into a scowl as she berated him.
The boy's nose wrinkled up and he sneezed.
Much to Harry's surprise, a blast of wind erupted forth from him, sending the girl's school skirt flying upwards, and only her swift hands kept her panties from being seen.
Harry blinked in complete bafflement.
Inuyasha blushed and looked away.
Robin put her hand to her mouth daintily. "Oh my..." her face blazed red.
"DAMN IT NEGI!" the red haired girl smashed the boy's head, sending him crashing to the floor.
"Ai... sorry Asuna." The boy apologized, holding a battered head.
Smiling and shaking his head, Harry stepped onto the ramp of the Outlaw Star. Turning back one more time, he smiled and waved.
His heart felt lighter than it had in a long time.
"Do you really think they can do it?" Kurama asked, leaning against the wall.
Zelda didn't waver from her vigil, watching the Outlaw Star fly off, a shooting star blazing forth into the dark.
"In this dark hour, we're defended by three strangers, imperfect and hurting." A smile crossed her face.
"And despite all their faults, I doubt that we could have gotten any better heroes."
Author's Notes
And now at last, we have truly begun. Who's the summon within the orb? Not telling, but just know that its not an actual angel. It just looks like one. Notice the it.
Harry's spells are Fire, Ice, Thunder, and Cure. Others will follow.
See if you can identify the various cameos. If I get around to it, I'll put a list up in my profile or in a note sometime.
Join my Yahoo group for faster updates and to get questions answered. I won't do any more review responses, since they seem to be out of favor right now. So if you want a question answered, its probably better to post at the group.
Link in profile.