Chapter 34

"Inuyasha, I have to tell you my heart lies with-" Kagome never finished but let out a scream. Something had slithered past her ankle and she jumped up in fright. All around them hissing and murmuring surround the air.

Inuyasha held onto the trembling girl and wondered vaguely if that boy knew of Kagome's fear of snakes. They waited for about twenty minutes, then the hissing died and the only sound was the wind. Inuyasha helped Kagome down from her perch on his back,

Kagome leaned in to whisper the end of her thought, but like Chi's voice, hers was carried off with the wind.

The two of them stayed out for a while longer, basking in the moonlight, after a while they started to make their way back hand in hand. When the tiny silhouette of the camp site came into view, Inuyasha pulled Kagome back. He drew her into a long kiss, which tasted of new beginnings.

They went, hand in hand, to the tent.

Three days passed before Chi heard anything from his fellow snakes. It was mid-afternoon when he came through the door.

Harry and Ron were teaching Shippo how to play wizards chess, Inuyasha and Koga were outside sparring, the girls were at the table gossiping, and Sesshomaru took Jaken for a walk.

After finding the specific person he wanted to talk to Chi went up to Harry. Harry, himself, was rubbing his eyebrows from almost being singed off. Shippo thought after every chess conquest here should be an explosion had started to add in his own little bombs to the pieces. After a particularly nasty move by Ron, the entire board was covered in smoke and sparks.

Chi placed a hand on Harry's shoulder and Harry knew it was his chance to break free.

"Shippo I think you're ready to take on Ron all by yourself," He said to the kit, who had been playing on Harry's lap. Ron threw Harry a look fixed with fear and anger as Harry followed Chi outside.

"I received the message just now. There is a house not too far away built in the middle of the woods, my brothers tell me they know the Dark Lord resides there. But further on, deep within the forest there is another house where no living thing lives. There is a great unspeakable power lying near the top of the house. It is mot likely the last part of the Dark Lord's soul." Chi stayed quiet and watched Harry.

"Do you think we can get there by magic?" Harry asked, hoping the answer was yes, because he was still tired from carrying Shippo a few days ago.

"Yes, for a time, but there are heavy enchantments surrounding the main house, the only way is to slip past undetected."

"Walking."

"Yes, by walking, but as I said earlier the house are not far form where we are now. In just a few hours walk we would be at the edge of the forest and sphere of the Dark Lord's protection."

"Well then, we better get started." Harry said moving to the front of the tent.

"Wait," Chi said grabbing Harry's arm. "Wouldn't it be better if only you and I go alone? Then we can bring back the object in glory." Chi stared at Harry's face.

"I will not leave behind those who wish to come, if they want to say and wait, they can, but if they want to go and fight then I cannot stop them." Harry looked hard into the serpent's eyes and turned to inform the others of their departure.

When they all were almost ready to leave, Harry grabbed Sesshomaru's arm and pulled the demon back.

"Can you keep an eye on Chi? I don't want him leaving us at all today." Sesshomaru gazed at Harry as if the boy had finally seen the light, nodded and left.

When the tent had been taken down Harry glanced at Chi for direction. The serpent king pointed the way and all was silent as they walked. Shippo, for once, was awake but seemed to take on the gigantic task they were about to do and stayed silent.

After a few hours just as Chi said they were able to see a fine line of dark green across the horizon. As they got closer Harry noticed the demons, (and half-demons) seemed to be getting more and more on edge. Sesshomaru started to explain as they moved even still closer.

"There is a very strong vortex surrounding most of that forest, it is like feeling an extra arm the power we are coming close to. Death will become of anyone who crosses that threshold." Sesshomaru's speech being over a new silence packed with unease filled the entire company.

When they reached the forest's edge, with the help of the demons they stared their slow trek though the trees but around the vortex.

Harry could feel the sunlights comforting warmth fall way and the damp, cool forest swallowing him. If the sun were above them they would have had more light, but because it was later in the afternoon, the sun was falling behind their back. It wasn't long until the celestial light had fallen completely away.

The demons provided more use by helping them to see in the semi-darkness. On and on the walked, Harry wondering if it would last forever, they then came upon a small clearing. A house stood all alone in the center of the field. It looked eerily familiar as Harry recognized it to be the house he lived in with his parents for that one short year.

The fading light bathed only the room as the rest of the house enjoyed the shadows. When Harry was a few feet from the door something strange happened. He moved through what felt like an invisible wall, and it started ripping, it tore at Harry's shirt and pants. When he was finally through he noticed there was even a hole in one of his shoes. He turned to see Ron trying to enter but instead of just ripping at his clothes, the wall started to rip at Ron's skin as well.

Harry pushed his friend back as Inuyasha and Chi pulled. It seemed as if this task was meant for Harry, and Harry alone.

Harry moved farther in until he was at the door. Before he could stop he grabbed the knob and pushed the door open.

Harry was astonished when he was the inside of the house. It was exactly the same as when he saw it in the memories of one of the previous Horcruxses. He pictures smiled up at him, his parents laughing and waving. Harry moved past the stairs and into the living room. He saw a few baby toys laying on the floor and a blanket on one of the couches.

Harry didn't know what made him feel it but he suddenly felt extreme pity for the man called Tom Riddle. Harry no longer saw Voldemort, The Dark Lord, whatever he called himself, he only saw the lonely old man behind the façade. Harry wondered if Riddle ever came to this house and wandered its many rooms to have just a small taste of what having a family would be like. Harry now saw how human Riddle was, an outcast his entire life, and a feared entity now. Harry wondered what life would be like without his friends and he realized Riddle deserved nothing more than pity. Harry knew Riddle thought the worst thing in life would be to be pitied.

After a while of looking around Harry went to the stairs, remembering Chi saying whatever it was, the object was upstairs.

Harry was followed by even more pictured and reminders of his parents life. At he top of the stirs he saw four doors. That was the bathroom, Harry remembered, and this is the closet, he thought knocking off another door. This…this was their room he remembered a lump growing in his throat, but it wouldn't be in their room, he thought turning to the last door it would be in mine.

When he opened the door to his room he saw noting for a few seconds. Then whoever was inside the room turned on the light.

There standing next to the crib was an adult, about the same age of James Potter when he died, version of Tom Riddle.

"Tom, what are you doing here?" Harry asked, Riddle blanched at the sound of his name, but it quickly died and became a smile.

"Why Harry, son, I thought you would know, I was waiting for you." The voice gave the impression of poisoned honey. Harry backed up almost out the door. "Why, son, why do you turn from me, I love you." Love seemed to be the last thing on the demon's mind, but whatever he said it made Harry stop. "I love you more than anything else, you are all that matter to me, come closer let me see you." As if invisible strings pulled him Harry moved closer. "Yes, you have grown up," The figure commented. "We are very much alike, you and I, both orphaned, both friendless, both craving for something just our of reach." Harry pulled away after that.

"How can we be the same? I have friends, they're all down there waiting for me to come back." Harry knew he had friends who cared deeply for him. As if on command Riddle started to laugh.

"Do you really believe that Harry? Only those who are true friends could have passed through that little shield I created out there. Only those who truly wanted to help you would have been able to come through. And that girl," Harry looked up knowing Riddle was speaking of Kagome, "she doesn't care for you, she's still with that demon isn't she?" As much as Harry hated it, he allowed the words to wash over him. Riddle was right. Kagome was always talking about Inuyasha and never wanted to be with Harry. Harry started to think of his other "friends" hating them more and more. Before Harry could stop it he was under Tom Riddle's spell.

Down below Kagome looked up at the house, she could see a shadow behind the curtains but nothing else. Kagome couldn't shake the feeling of dread she had since Harry entered the house. Before anyone could stop her she ran at full speed to the house. Her clothes ripped, cuts opened all over her exposed skin but Kagome kept going. When she reached the door she barged it open and went through.

Riddle could feel someone coming up the stairs as he whispered lies into Harry's willing ear.

"Harry!" Kagome yelled when she ran into the room, "What have you done to him?!" She screamed at Riddle.

Harry's face had changed since the last time Kagome had seen it. He was smiling, but it was a cold, cruel smile, one that didn't even make it past his nose and into his eyes. Harry's eyes, which had once been so full of life and light, were now cold and hard, just like the emeralds the color mirrored, like stone.

"Harry snap out of it!" Kagome called trying to wake him.

"Go away, I don't need you anymore." Harry said stressing every word. Kagome looked at him and started to cry, the tears mixed with the blood that was freely flowing donw the sides of her face. Riddle laughed and placed a hand on Harry's shoulder, Kagome tried to fight it off but she found she was rooted to the spot. She couldn't get away from those glassy eyes staring out from the person she had….

"But I love you." She whispered.

"What did you say?" Riddle said staring at the girl standing in the doorway.

"I love him," she turned to Harry, her face glowing from her tears, "I LOVE YOU, SO SNAP OUT OF IT!" she yelled, the water now rolling fully down her face. She bowed down and wept on the floor. All hope had faded from her, she now simply watched her blood drip into the carpet. A hand gently slid through her hair and fingers until it reached her chin. When Kagome looked up she saw Harry smiling down at her with his radiant soft smile.

"Now Tom, where were we?" Harry said glaring at the man in front of him.

"NO!" Riddle screamed running at Kagome. Just as he was about to grab her Harry touched his hand. Riddle screamed again and disappeared.

"What, what happened?" Kagome asked as she pulled herself up.

"He's dead," Harry said while staring at an object on the floor. Kagome saw it was a broken music box with a smiling woman on the front. "My mother's box," Harry said picking up the broken toy, "my mother would play this and sing me to sleep every night." Harry wiped the tears from his eyes, "So what did you tell him to get him to let me go?"

"You mean you don't remember?" Kagome looked at the genuine curiosity on Harry's face knowing full well he had no idea what happened. "I just threatened him." She said dismissively. Harry smiled and decided he wouldn't push whatever she was hiding.

There wasn't time anyway. Outside the widow the pair saw a giant flash and then a crash shook the entire house.