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). This fic is a continuation of 'Enter the Reaper'.

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 at any time 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.

The Reaper's journey.
Chapter two.

A couple of days later, the potions master saw Draco and his friend sitting in a booth at a pub... the older blonde reading through some papers and every once in a while making a notation while the young wizard looked like he was folding a piece of paper? Once the paper was folded, roughly into a bird-shape... it shimmered and then a real bird sat in the boy's hands. He smiled and caught the other blonde's attention. Smiling back, the spectacled blonde patted the bird on it's head and then reached over and playfully messed up Draco's hair. The young wizard ducked away, scowling; then he laughed. It was so unlike the boy Snape had known since he was born.

Hopping around on the table, the small bird pecked at a pygmy owl before reverting to its original paper form. Something else was going on here. Snape had heard the rumors of course and had become alarmed when Draco and Narcissa had apparently disappeared. He hadn't believed Lucius when he had said they were visiting relatives in France. To change a life force enough so that their wand wouldn't work anymore... As far as he knew, there was nothing short of death that could do that to a person.

He remembered something... a story he'd heard as a child. How some wizards didn't really die. But that was just a fairy tale. There was no way Draco was a Reaper.

The small owl climbed up the older blonde's arm, reached his shoulder and suddenly flew off with that horribly bright orange ribbon. Draco started laughing as the man got up to chase the owl. Snape narrowed his eyes. This might be his best opportunity.

---

Chasing 003 into an alley, Watari called to the bird in a tone that was less than happy. "Oh come on you silly thing..."

He was suddenly grabbed and slammed into a nearby wall. "I want some answers."

Gasping, Watari tried to fight against whoever was holding him. "Let me go!"

"Not before I get some answers. Who are you... really?"

Hazel eyes glared up at Snape. "You know who I am..."

"Then maybe I should ask why you are with Draco?"

"Draco was placed in my custody." The blonde growled.

"And yet you share a bed? Interesting guardian you are."

Watari shook his head, "he can't sleep through the night unless someone that he feels comfortable with is there..."

"And why can't he sleep through the night?"

"He has nightmares... "

"And the reason behind those nightmares?" The man's eyes were shrewd.

"In Tokyo his father found him and threatened him... "

Snape sighed and released the blond. "that man is a menace... whatever happened to Narcissa?"

Watari rubbed his wrists, "Lucius killed her with the Avadra Kedavra curse... Draco saw it happen."

The professor shook his head. "what happened to Draco?"

"I can't really say..."

"You said he was damaged enough to alter his life force... Was it Crucio? One of the other torture type spells?"

"I'm not very magically inclined... the only reason I know what killed his mother is because it was listed in Draco's files, and that took a while to understand because I do not have a very good grasp of the English language."

"If he can no longer use his wand and you said Lucius tracked him down in Tokyo... That would mean Draco would have been defenseless."

"Hei." Watari answered sadly, he hated to admit it but that was the truth.

"He was my prized student and a part of my house. He could be considered my godson or nephew. He needs guidance and safety. If you cannot provide that I want to know."

The blonde frowned. "With me he is infinitely safer than if he had remained in England... In England, his father would be able to locate him whenever he pleases... Japan is another matter completely. Even more so now that Draco has a shikigami which is loyal only to him."

"The cat thing?"

"The cat thing."

"And it can actually do something other than look cute?"

"If Draco needs to be protected, the aggressor will find out how uncute that shiki can get."

"One more question... is he a Reaper?"

"If he were a Reaper, do you really think that he would be outside of Britain?"

One eyebrow rose. "Why don't you answer that, since you seem to know what I'm talking about. Reapers are generally regarded as fairy tales."

Watari smiled brightly, "I know more than a bit about tales revolving Death in different countries. Since you used the term 'Reaper' rather than 'Grim Reaper', it shows that you also know what you are talking about... specifically, a god of death that is from England. Think about what you are asking for a moment... you are postulating that Draco has become a Reaper and was sent to Japan, when his native area would be England... How odd and improbable would that scenario be? Considering that both locations already have an established number of positions for gods of death... then why would a Reaper be sent? Are you trying to imply that the land of the dead has suddenly decided to make some sort of death exchange program... because if one were to be sent over, one would have to be sent out so that there isn't a disproportionate number of gods of death in any one area... "

"Given that it is Draco Malfoy and Lucius is involved... not as improbable as you are trying to make it out. Exchange program... hmmm, I'll have to consider that. In anycase, I'll take my leave now. If I EVER hear of Draco being unhappy or injured... I will take it out of your hide."

Hazel eyes twinkled in mirth as the blonde bowed deeply to Snape, "I will hold you to your word."

"As long as we understand each other."

The small owl flew down and Watari retrieved his ribbon. "I believe that we understand each other perfectly."

"Good. I'll be staying for another week at this hotel." He handed a small card to the blond. "If Draco wishes to see me, tell him not to hesitate to visit."

Taking the card with both hands, the blonde put it in a pocket after reading the address, "Understood." The man nodded and with a flourish of robes turned and disappeared down the alley.

---

Sitting back down at the table, Watari gave the card over to Draco, "I saw your professor, and he asked me to give you that... he will be there for the next week, and that you shouldn't hesitate to visit." Naturally he didn't say anything about the threats.

The blond looked at the card. He looked at Watari with an uncertain expression on his face. "Can I? I mean... I didn't think we were supposed to have anything to do with our former lives..."

"Technically, we aren't... but since he might be useful in getting information that we might not be able to access ourselves," the shinigami winked.

"That's true... Snape has, well, contacts with those who are less than honest. If anyone has heard anything that could be useful to us, it would be the Professor."

"The only thing that we must keep in mind is trying not to let the fact about us not necessarily being... living... out."

Draco stared down at Puss, sitting in his lap. "I know..."

"He asked me point blank if you were a Reaper..."

"What? I had hardly even heard of Reapers before I was one... how could he have known?"

"He said that Reapers were generally regarded as fairy tales... "

"I guess so. We didn't learn about them in school or anything like that."

---

Later that evening, while Draco had gone over to visit with Snape, Watari walked out of the wizarding area. Sure the place was nice... but as Draco had pointed out, and as the Potions Professor had guessed, he was very much muggle. While magic was fun and interesting, he just wanted to be able to see a place where he didn't have to worry about books attempting to attack him. Finding a cafe, the shinigami ordered a coffee.

He was beginning to understand some of Draco's problems when he had first arrived... It was intriguing, how magic had woven it's way into their lives. It reminded him a bit of the Gensoukai, but oddly not as advanced technologically. Something told him though, that if Kijin or Tenkou were dropped into Chijou, they would at least have the common sense to flip a light switch. It seemed that Draco had been very carefully raised to not even consider non-magical means of doing things. It must have been not only a shock, but almost a traumatic change on top of what had already happened to him. After seeing how that girl had treated Draco, if that was indicative of how he was regarded in England, no wonder they had basically thrown him out.

A toy shop across from the cafe made him smile. In the window was a good sized teddy-bear. Going into the shop, he didn't hesitate purchasing it... perhaps with this he could get his Kuma back from his partner?

---

It was pretty good timing when Draco called him up on the cellphone... since he had made it clear that he didn't want Draco going around unsupervised. Answering the phone, the blonde brightened, "Moshi moshi..."

"Hi. I'm ready to go back to the inn."

"Alright, just give me a moment and I'll be there..."

"You don't need to trouble yourself. I'm sure I would be fine..."

Walking into a dark alley where he was certain that he wouldn't be seen, Watari teleported closer to the hotel where Draco was. "I'm almost there..."

"I don't want to be a bother." The blond was standing in the entryway of the hotel, looking around.

Walking out from the dead-end alley, the shinigami smiled and closed his phone. "Draco, when you are a bother, I will be the first to let you know."

The Reaper closed his phone as well. Snape could be seen watching from inside the hotel. He nodded to Watari and disappeared. Draco shrugged. "I just don't want you to think you have to babysit me."

The bag in which the bear was in is handed over to the teen. "There are only two people that I am willing to babysit... and they have both grown up by now."

"What's this?"

"Something that I thought you might like..." he replied with a laugh.

"Can I open it here, or should I wait till we get back to the room?"

"Your choice."

"I'll wait till we get back." He stepped out into the street. "Where did you go?"

"Into the muggle section of town." Following the teen, Watari sighed. "I just had to go there... you haven't a clue how unnerving it is when a book tries to bite you..."

Draco shuddered. "Of course I do. You never saw my Care of Magical Creatures textbook."

"And to think, the scariest book I ever encountered in the university was a Spacial Physics textbook."

"Worse, we were expected to use the book and Hagrid didn't see anything wrong with it." The shinigami shuddered. Draco laughed. Movement in the shadows caught his eye. "What's that?"

"What's what?" the shinigami stopped and tried to see what the teen had noticed.

"I saw something in the shadows."

"Whatever it is, don't bother it..."

It made a soft whimpering sound. "Awe... it's hurt..." He started over towards the shadowy figure.

"If it bites I am not going to pity you..."

"How can you say stuff like that..." It whimpered again and Draco knelt nearby. "Come on... I won't hurt you..."

Watari crossed his arms, "injured creatures have a tendency to bite..."

"come on..." The creature poked its head out. It resembled a rabbit... sort of. Draco reached for it. "there you go..." As soon as the shinigami saw the head, he knew what it was... and started moving towards Draco to get him away from that thing. The rabbit-thing leaped at the Reaper's arm gnashing and tearing at skin. The boy screamed and tried to pull away. The creature had a good hold however and its teeth were locked on the blonde's flesh. He waved his arm, trying to dislodge the beast, crying as the razor sharp teeth dug deeper.

Watari tried to get a decent grip on the animal so he could try to force it to release Draco. The boy was crying, tears streaming down his face. It had to be extremely painful. Suddenly, Snape was there, holding Draco still. "Will a spell work on it?" Quickly the blonde nodded, not even wanting to know how or why the other wizard was there. The man pulled out his wand. "Stupefy!"

Watari watched as a red bolt of light flew from Snape's wand and struck the animal, rendering it unconscious. Immediately he started to inspect the damage on Draco's arm, "This will take more than a few stitches..."

The professor helped get the creature off the boy's arm, laying it to the side. "That thing's got some nasty teeth..."

Draco shivered, biting his lip to keep from screaming. He was obviously already going into shock. Picking up the teen as though he were nothing more than a small child, Watari ignores the blood that starts to stain his coat. "Grab that animal... please."

Snape cast another spell, binding to the creature incase it woke up. Only then did he pick up the rabbit-thing. "Is there a mediwitch or wizard around?"

This was not a good idea... but he didn't see much of a choice at the moment. "Take a hold of my sleeve." He all but ordered the potions master. Really, not a good idea.

Snape frowned, but seeing the condition Draco was in, didn't argue. He grabbed the blonde's sleeve. Within seconds they were standing in the room at the inn. Settling Draco on the bed, Watari went into the bathroom and filled a bowl with water. "Snape-san... bring that up to boiling and then down to an acceptable temperature," the blonde said as he was already ripping the sleeve off of the teen to get a better view of the wound.

Laying the creature on the floor, Snape got his wand back out and cast a heating charm on the bowl. Draco was trying not to writhe on the bed, obviously in a lot of pain. Puss mewled and nuzzled the boy's face. A small syringe was pulled from the bag next to the bed and uncapped. Disinfecting a section on the boy's uninjured arm, Watari injects a clear fluid into his partner and doesn't seem bothered when Draco collapses unconscious. Hissing in pain, the shinigami submerges a washcloth into the water, and then wrings it out before he starts to clean the blood up.

"What did you give him?"

Watari ignored the professor and applied a cream to the wound before bandaging it. Collapsing to the floor next to the bed, the blonde sighed, "Damn lucky that thing didn't get any deeper into the skin..."

"What is it?" He prodded the rabbit thing with his toe. "And what would it have done if we hadn't gotten it off?"

"Believe it or not... it is a rare species of rabbit native to Japan. Something that should NOT have been sulking around civilization of any sort. It's carnivorous... if it hadn't been removed from his arm, it would have removed the arm." Looking at his hand, the shinigami sighed again, "I thought that I had asked you to bring that water down to a more acceptable temperature."

"I apologize, I should have cast the chilling charm more quickly." He frowned. "Why did Draco do that?"

Watari shrugged, "he still doesn't know all the different animals that can cause serious damage that are in Japan... "

Snape scowled. "He should know better. Being attacked by a hippogrif didn't make an impression I guess. Will he heal alright?"

"He'll be fine... " The blonde yawned. "Hippogrif?"

---

Wearily the blonde rubbed his temples, "Sorry for inconveniencing you tonight..."

The man shook his head. "It is no inconvenience. I was concerned for Draco."

Watari looked down at his blood stained clothes. "He'll be fine in a day or so."

"A day? His arm was nearly torn off. Even with potions and healing spells it couldn't possibly be healed in a day!"

"You have a little trick that tells you if I am lying, right? So did I lie when I said that it would only take about a day?" Pulling himself to his feet, the shinigami stripped the bloodied clothes off... leaving the pants, and got a clean pullover from his pack and promptly pulled that on. "How long is the rabbit going to be stunned?"

"It depends. I assume it is a type of magical creature, therefore the spell should wear off faster than if it was a normal animal. You might want to think about confinement."

"Hei hei..." From under the bag where the shirt was pulled from, a small wire cage is brought out and quickly assembled, "that should work until I can talk to Maria about this little guy."

The potions master quickly levitated the creature and deposited it in the cage. "It's getting late. I should probably be getting back to my hotel. You'll contact me if Draco has any complications?"

On the bed the slender teen whimpered slightly, immediately drawing Watari to him. Brushing fine silken hair back, the older blonde managed to temporarily settle the boy's dreams. "he'll be fine," he nearly whispered. Turning back to the older wizard, bright hazel eyes blinked, "I can at least take you back, since I was the one that pulled you along..."

"That won't be necessary... I'm sure I can find my way. That was an interesting trick... maybe sometime you'll be willing to explain it to me."

---

Draco woke the next morning nestled in his partner's arms. He was groggy and one of his arms felt stiff and unresponsive. He tried to clear his throat. "-tari?" The shinigami muttered something completely incomprehensible and snuggled closer. He tried again. "watari? you awake?"

"no..."

"you're not awake?"

"i'm not awake..." was the sleepy response.

"then how are you talking to me?"

"you're imagining that i'm talking," Watari yawned and tried to hide his face in Draco's shoulder.

"oh... what happened last night?"

Finally the scientist raised his head slightly and gave the teen a faint smile, "you were bitten by a rabbit..."

The blond gasped, remembering and felt his arm. "I thought it was going to take it off."

"I would still have reattached it... but it would have taken longer to heal." Rolling over onto his back, Watari looked up at the ceiling. "I guess that I'm awake now."

Draco looked away, feeling guilty. "i'm sorry..."

"We should go and see Snape-san... since he was nice enough to help last night."

"Snape? He was there?" Draco couldn't really remember much accept the pain.

"Hei, he was." The shinigami motioned towards the rabbit currently attempting (and failing) to gnaw through the metal bars of the cage, "he was kind enough to stun our little friend."

The Reaper looked at the creature, rubbing his arm. "It didn't look that dangerous..."

"Neither does Puss." Watari whispered and planted a kiss on Draco's forehead before sliding off the bed.

"hmm..." He gently pet the cat-like shiki curled up next to him. "i'm sorry I didn't listen to you..."

Wandering into the bathroom, the older blond brushes his teeth... and then his hair. Frowning, he examined himself in the mirror... he had to see Kira as soon as they got back. When the blond ducked back into the bedroom to fetch clean clothes for the day, he found that Draco hadn't even made it out of the bed yet. The teen had curled back up with his shikigami and seemed to be well on his way to falling back to sleep. Puss was kneading gently into the boy's hip, purring loudly.