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Balance Factor Chapter 36

Year Six

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A/N: A guest asked about the DoM scene and why Ryuuko wasn't able to eliminate Death Eaters like flies. The reason for this is because he was in so close proximity (though he didn't know it) to the Shadow world. Remember, they were fighting in the Death Room (The room with the veil, which leads to the Shadow world.). Also, Ryuuko was not trying to kill and Lucius is a bitch to knock out as he is a seasoned Death Eater, able to draw magic easily from an area saturated with it.

Shadow attracts light, so Ryuuko was weakened, as well as incomplete.

Harry, however, you remember was in human form. He would have human limitations as a result. He did not go rei because he's trying to hide his abilities from the enemy as long as possible.

They may be deities, but they draw their power from somewhere. Normally, they draw from the Light world, but the Shadow world was so close that they were unable to draw too much energy. If you recall, Ryuuko needed Harry to assist him knocking out Bellatrix.

Akira had no respect for the teachers. In fact, if he didn't like the class, he would simply walk out and not come back.

It happened first in Transfiguration, much to McGonagall's displeasure. Granted, they were only doing theory, but Akira had found it extremely dull as he understood little to none of it and could perform none of it. Harry had smiled when Akira asked him why he bothered to learn Transfiguration and had taken great pleasure in watching McGonagall transfigure Akira's clothes into a dress. Akira had been both mortified and embarrassed when he saw his clothing, a deep red blush decorating his cheeks.

Ryuuko mentioned later in private that Akira looked pretty good in a dress. Akira had responded by punting the little Light King, Ryuuko hitting the wall hard. Ryuuko kept his comments to himself after that, whimpering a little from pain in Harry's pocket.

Harry won a bottle of Felix Felicis for brewing the best Draught of the Living Death in Potions. Akira had flipped through the textbook, reading the inscriptions and the messages the last user had left behind and the directions out loud for Harry to follow. Akira's interest had only lasted about three class periods in before he had walked out. Slughorn seemed slightly depressed that Akira found him boring, as he had tried to engage Akira in a conversation to invite him to his Slug Club.

On the other hand, Akira seemed to like Snape's Defense Against Dark Arts class best. That could have been because Snape had spent the first week on non-verbal spells and Akira enjoyed watching the chaos ensue and the look on people's faces. Harry failed twice before his third non-verbal spell blasted a large hole in the wall next to Akira's laughing face.

There was a silence before Harry shook his head. "Protego doesn't seem to like me, but incendio works just fine. Okay, so I'm an attacker rather than a defender." He fired off another spell at Akira, Akira materializing his blade the instant the jet of red light was fired from Harry's wand tip. It shattered into sparks when it touched the transparent blade.

"Oh? So that is your weapon?" Harry eyed the blade approvingly, his eyes glinting a little with surprise. Snape stopped, staring at the weapon with half-awe, half-terror.

"Yeah," Akira held up the blade, slinging it on his shoulder. "It didn't used to be like this though. It used to be twin blades."

Harry looked impressed, taking a deep breath. "Magic just doesn't work against this weapon." He fired an "expelliarmus" at Akira. It hit the weapon but did nothing to the blade.

"Hm. I guess not," Akira said calmly, sitting down on a chair, casually letting the weapon vanish.

-0-

"You wanted to see me, sir?" Harry asked, looking at Dumbledore. Akira had taken Ryuuko. The two reis, despite their differences, were quite friendly with each other. Akira still thought of Ryuuko as a stuck-up royal and Ryuuko wasted no time in reminding him that he was now a royal too.

Dumbledore stood up and spoke, looking at Harry through his half-moon glasses. "Harry, my boy… Do you think it would be to your advantage to know how Voldemort, or-shall we say-Tom Riddle, grew up as a boy?"

Harry eyed Dumbledore and then slowly thought about it, turning it over in his head. "Do you think such knowledge would benefit me, Professor?" He tilted his head and then eyed Dumbledore's desk. "I think it might be good to survey him as a child or perhaps when he's at Hogwarts. You mentioned Horcruxes last year."

"That's right," Dumbledore said solemnly.

Harry paused again and nodded, moving to the door, thinking. "Alright. Let us see Tom Riddle's upbringing. Horcruxes or not, knowing our enemy will help us defeat him."

-0-

"Hah?!"

Nanaya looked at the masked men with narrowed eyes. His single eye was narrowed and his mouth was set in a line. These men had suddenly shown up in his hideout, demanding to know who he worked for and what he had been fighting with and how he was so easily able to hurt someone named 'Potter'. They were holding sticks to his face, demanding answers. Well, only about three of the fifty that had barged in. The other forty nine were looking around, not aware of where he was, unable to see or sense him.

"Don't fuck around with me!"

Nanaya sent a swift kick to one of the masks, his gold eye blazing with anger. Suddenly, another one of the men grabbed his arm. Nanaya felt a whirl of colors and then the sensation he was being squeezed through a tube.

He staggered, bringing his free arm to punch the man who had a hold of him as the sensation of spinning stopped.

A cold, high voice spoke. "Crucio!"

Nanaya bucked a little as the curse hit him in the back. He whipped around, his face contorted with anger and fired off a blast of lightening that struck a solid shield.

"So… it's true then… Magic does not work very well on you or the being called Ryuuko," the voice said. Nanaya glared deeply, his face tense. The voice chuckled.

"I have little business with you," the voice continued. Nanaya ground his teeth, spotting the speaker finally. It was an ugly, snake-faced man. His eye narrowed with hate as he realized he was not in his hideout. He was in a large room in someone's house, it seemed, surrounded by people with masks.

"So, fucker, what the fuck do you want?! Cause I'm not feeling very generous today," Nanaya snarled, his hands flexing and curling into fists. "And that may or may not be due to someone breaking into my hideout and kidnapping me." He really wanted to punch one more of the masked men for revenge, but refrained, as they were all holding sticks and pointing them at him. Strangely, not one of them was averting their eyes from him, so Nanaya could deduce that they could all see him.

"You possess a strange type of magic. I wish to know where you got it," the voice said. "And you will tell me if your master is King of Dark."

"Don't see why I have to tell you fucker!" Nanaya growled, his eye flashing.

"If you won't talk willingly, then I suppose we'll have to use force," Voldemort said softly.

"Try it, bitch," Nanaya said, his eyes narrowed. "I'll be sure to pound that snake-face of yours into the ground." Darkness gathered in his hands and the twin sais materialized.

Spells fired around Nanaya, but Nanaya, honed in battle, simply sliced his way through the crowd, ripping off arms and legs, killing as many stood in his way and snake-face. He jumped high into the air, swiping at Voldemort. But then Voldemort apparated away. Nanaya's sai met air and he scrambled a little, shocked.

"What the fuck-"

Now that he looked, many of the weirdos were disappearing from the crowd, pops and cracks filling the air. The only ones left after a minute were the dead.

Nanaya slammed his sai on the ground, looking indignant.

"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!"

-0-

Kazuki slashed with his spear. Akira was quick on his feet, but with far less training than Kazuki. He was thrown into the padded walls of the Room of Requirement, his blade falling to the ground. Ryuuko sent a blast of Light at Kazuki, who cut it apart with his spear and gathered Darkness in his hand, firing off the dagger made of Darkness.

Having been dazed for a brief second, Akira sprung back into battle, hitting Kazuki with his blade in the back, using the blunt edge. Kazuki gave a soft yelp and was slammed into the ground.

Ryuuko held his hand out and the Darkness was instantly neutralized, the dagger vanishing in the air before it reached him. Kazuki groaned a little, his back hurting from where Akira had struck him.

Kazuki had taken up to training with the two Royals during the weekends in the Room of Requirement. He would shift into his rei form and the two would gang up on him to train him. So far though, Kazuki had seen little success.

As he was trapped in a human vessel, he could not move as fast or hit as hard as he wanted to. His body was so unbearably weak. He had noted the first week that it was beyond the level of what a normal human could reach, but far below shin or rei.

He healed quickly, thankfully, but Kazuki was also far more fragile. Ryuuko had accidently snapped three ribs by throwing him into a wall the first time they trained. The gush of blood into his lungs had choked him and he spent the next hour and half coughing up blood as Ryuuko frantically tried to heal him. The fear in Ryuuko's eyes was a little foreign. Logically, he knew it made sense, but it was a little unsettling to see his father that terrified. Akira watched with some level of respect.

It had been two months already. Although Kazuki could utilize both Darkness and Light, he could not push past his human limits too far. He would collapse with exhaustion within an hour if he pushed too hard.

Kazuki slowly struggled to his feet, gripping his shoulder, breathing harshly. Ryuuko instantly moved forward to steady him, worried about his son.

"I'm starting to understand why Shirogane felt so insulted when I said I was helping him back when I first became a shin," Akira said gloomily, looking a bit fed up. "You're so… weak."

Kazuki flinched a little. "Sorry… I… apologize for this…"

Akira waved his apology off, shaking his head. "It's not your fault. I get it. You got a human vessel that limits you severely, right? Can't you just get rid of it? I mean, we're not fighting Homurabi anymore."

"I would hate explaining to my classmates why I suddenly look different," Kazuki murmured, letting Ryuuko tend to his injuries. "Also, the process for integration does not allow me to separate from my vessel. The only way, would be if this vessel died."

"So… if you died, you'd revert back to being a rei?" Akira asked, tilting his head. "That's a bummer. You have friends here, don't you?"

"Yeah… Draco… and Ron… And Hermione…" He looked a little shaken, holding onto Ryuuko's arm for support.

"And leaving them here would be pretty much condemning them to death by Voldy-whatsits," Akira said. "So I get it. You want to protect them."

"Kazuki… I think you better revert back," Ryuuko murmured. "And… try incurring your shin form."

Kazuki nodded a little, standing up straight and closing his eyes. The Light washed over him, dissolving into the atmosphere. He took several deep breaths before trying to draw out his Darkness, the same way he did Light.

Darkness swirled around him, his clothes and hair the first to change. His long white hair flared with power as the Darkness was pouring out. Kazuki held up one hand, trying to summon his spear. Darkness gathered, but did not completely take the shape of his spear. It was more of an echo of the weapon rather than the weapon itself. Kazuki released it with a sigh and dropped his hand, looking frustrated with himself and his lack of power. The spear scattered into the air.

"This world's attribute is Light. You did well considering the attribute was working against you," Ryuuko said, nodding. "It would be better if you collected more Darkness though, as your core is mostly Light right now."

"I haven't really been stabilizing the balance because of it," Kazuki admitted, looking up at his father and Akira. "I can only imitate my shin form. I cannot feel the power. Did the removal of the incomplete inshi have anything to do with that?"

"You make inshi," Akira said, recalling Ryuuko's memories. "Man, we totally could have used your help with Homurabi."

"Quite possibly," Ryuuko agreed with Kazuki before looking at Akira. "What do you mean, Akira-kun?"

"I mean, if you had told Shisui and Homurabi, they wouldn't have any need to steal your inshi, would they? Kazuki could just make them new ones," Akira said.

"Unfortunately, it doesn't work like that," Kazuki said, inspecting his white hair and his black cape, lined with silver. "I can't just fashion inshi like you make pancakes. It takes a very long time. I've had the inshi inside me for sixteen years now. It is still incomplete. I was only able to manifest Ryuuko one and a half years ago." He looked up at Akira and added, "Also, the only way the process of making new ones is stimulated if the current ones are removed forcefully from your body or Shirogane's body. Speaking of which, we still haven't linked, have we, Akira-nii?"

"Linked?" Akira looked confused.

"Linking is when one person links their essence with Kazuki," Ryuuko said calmly. "Kazuki can sense your state as a result and provide you with power, if you need it."

"I'm sort of a backup source for Direct Royal Kings," Kazuki said, nodding at Akira. "If you die, I probably am able to manifest you like I do Ryuuko."

Akira frowned a little. "What, so you're like a little bank of power for Ryuuko and Shirogane right now?"

"Yes," Kazuki said, seemingly not hearing the disapproving tone. "I can harvest Light and Darkness and channel them the power."

"Can they do it vice versa? Give you power through the link?" Akira asked suddenly. Kazuki paused, surprised at the question. Akira clarified. "If you're in trouble, will they be able to sense you and help you?"

"That was not the purpose of my creation," Kazuki said bluntly. "No. They cannot give me power through the link. Only I am able to send power over the link. They cannot sense me through the link, but they are able to sense me because I am a creation of theirs. A Child, I believe." He looked up at Ryuuko for conformation and Ryuuko nodded, embracing him.

"If you die…" Akira said slowly. "As a rei or shin…"

Kazuki shrugged. "Probably disappear. It's not like it's the end of the world though. The Direct Royals can create another one of me."

Akira nodded slowly, understanding. "So… you're like Kou then. Created. You didn't used to be human."

"That's right," Ryuuko said, petting Kazuki's white hair soothingly. "Kazuki is special though. I thought you had inherited all my memories. Shouldn't you know this?"

"Haven't gotten that far yet. You have centuries, millennia's worth of memories!" Akira complained. "But still… if they created another one of you… it wouldn't really be you, would it?"

Kazuki paused, thinking about it. Then he finally spoke.

"I don't know… Father, do you know?" He looked up at Ryuuko and Ryuuko sighed deeply.

"I've never tried it. I've never wanted to try it. You are my precious Child. My son," Ryuuko murmured. "I would be very sad if you died. So I will protect you." He released Kazuki and smiled at him, tracing a finger down his cheek. "I'm sure Shirogane feels the same way."

"From what I see," Akira started, looking at Kazuki, "Shirogane doesn't like Kazuki much at all in your memories. He simply tolerated him, like he tolerated Homurabi and the other Children of the Dark."

"It's hard to describe how Shirogane feels," Ryuuko said calmly. "I do believe he loves Kazuki as a son though, even if he won't say it."

Kazuki looked away a little, shaking his head. "I'm only a source of power for the Kings and the Balancer. Feelings… are not a priority for me. Even if Shirogane hates me, I still feel for him deeply. He did, however reluctantly, create me. For that, I must be eternally thankful."

"Even if he gets rid of you later?" Akira asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Yes," Kazuki confirmed.

"That's stupid," Akira declared, crossing his arms. "A stupid way to think. I promised Shirogane that I'd take responsibility of all the Children and I meant it. You're not my Child, but you are a Child. So that includes you too. I'm not going to let Shirogane and Ryuuko use you like a personal water fountain of power."

"The power Kazuki gives, he willingly gives," Ryuuko said, pleased at Akira's declaration. "We cannot force power from him." Akira relaxed a little.

"It's alright, Akira," Kazuki said quietly. "I'm pleased you think that way, but I harbor no resentment towards either parent. I wish to share my power." He held out a hand and smiled a little. "Shall we link then?"

"If you're willing to share… I suppose that's okay." Akira looked hesitant to take the hand, but he slowly grasped it. Kazuki laced their fingers together slowly, smiling slowly, closing his eyes.

"Repeat after me," Kazuki instructed, looking at Akira's red eyes. They were the same shade of red as Ryuuko's, though the emotion swirling inside was much different. Akira was colder, but still every bit compassionate as Ryuuko.

"Blood to blood. Core to core. Link our Factors so assistance may occur." Kazuki chanted, calm, listening to Akira repeat the words. He placed his free hand on Akira's lips and added. "I say this part alone."

Akira fell silent, watching a little apprehensively as white threads of Light wound around their linked hands and the small space between their hands started to glow. Kazuki dropped his hand from Akira's lips and looked at their hands.

"The Balancer, the preserver of worlds, of realms, willingly takes on the Direct King's inshi," Kazuki said, his eyes on the threads. "I am bound to protect, to serve, to assist. Thus, the balance will be preserved."

Akira gasped as a warm feeling traveled up his hand and washed over his body. Ryuuko smiled lightly, watching calmly as Kazuki swayed a little, the threads wrapping around his arm and sinking into it. Kazuki could feel it reaching for his core and didn't resist its effects as it wrapped around the Light in his Factor. His Factor pulsed once but then took it in, glowing brilliantly white. Akira reached out with his free hand and gripped Kazuki's shoulder, afraid he'd tip over.

Kazuki took his assistance gratefully and sealed the ritual with some final words. "Forever as this existence lasts…"

Akira watched as the strands vanished between their hands and then slowly, unsurely, let go. Kazuki's hand dropped as well and he unexpectedly slumped against Akira's hold. Akira gave a small breath of alarm as Kazuki slid to the floor, helping him along the way.

"Is he okay?" Akira asked, looking up at Ryuuko. Ryuuko smiled.

"Fine. He's fine. He just needs to restabilize the balance inside himself," Ryuuko said smoothly, picking up Kazuki's limp body. "Let's put him to bed. Will you be able to carry Kazuki, as I do not want to impact the students with my presence?"

Akira reached down and picked up the young boy, surprised at how light the other actually was. It could have been because he was a rei or it could have something to do with the fact that he had a human vessel.

Kazuki remained sleeping for most of the day.