.

Balance Factor Chapter 40

Year Seven

Homurabi

A/N: I tried to stick to the manga version of Homurabi. I tried to base it off how he acted before killing Ryuuko and add in the guilt for being forgiven by Shirogane/Akira/Shisui.

Please read and review!

Homurabi paced in his rooms, looking concerned. Akira had returned, but there was no sign of Ryuuko. Had those wizards really seen Ryuuko or had it been Akira all along? The two did look very alike, after all. Akira was Ryuuko's successor. It wouldn't have surprised him if the idiotic wand-waving wizards did mistake them.

"So you're telling me…" Nanaya said slowly, looking at Sawaki. "That wizards exist and can perform magic and there was a war not too long ago with someone named Tom Riddle?" He had come back to the Shadow Palace as Shirogane was distracted most of the day by Akira's return.

"That is correct," Sawaki said, looking over the notes he held in his hand. "Because of them, we had to repair more tears than usual. And some of the lesser shin and rei got fired at. Luckily, their magic doesn't affect us like it affects normal humans."

Nanaya recalled the meeting he had with the snake-faced bastard months ago. "But… He's come back?"

"According to Black's reports, that is correct," Sawaki said. "There are rumors about another rei in England though. One who is very powerful and has been keeping the balance stable there. The balance in England is actually so stable this time, that there have been no major tears in almost seventeen-"

Homurabi slammed his hand down on the table. Sawaki stopped and looked at him, shocked.

"They said that Ryuuko was there," Homurabi said softly. Sawaki's mouth opened, but he had frozen. "They said they were up against the King of Light and wanted to recruit Shirogane because he could fight on par with Ryuuko." Homurabi looked at Sawaki. "Granted, they could have been talking about Akira since Akira was there last year… But… I'm not too sure…"

"Who is Ryuuko anyway?" Nanaya asked. Sawaki cleared his throat.

"Ryuuko was the King of Light before Akira. Akira is his successor who inherited his powers and inshi," Sawaki said. "You weren't born that time. But he was killed by me with Homurabi's orders."

"What the hell am I supposed to say to Ryuuko-sama if it really was him?" Homurabi asked, almost pulling his hair in frustration. "Hell, what the fuck are you going to say to him, Sawaki?"

Sawaki remained silent, thinking about it. "I… don't know…" he spoke finally. What exactly did you say to the man who you killed years before? Sawaki wondered if "I'm sorry" was acceptable. He wondered if "Homurabi ordered me to do it" was an excuse or a roundabout apology.

"Wait… you killed him?" Nanaya's eyes were wide. "So… what is he doing around here? Isn't he supposed to be dead? And up in… whatever Heaven that rei go?"

"He's the only Direct King we've killed," Sawaki said slowly. "We knew nothing about it. We suspected a successor, but for Ryuuko-sama to come back… I don't know about that. It seems there are many things we still don't know. Like how wizards can create a tear to the Shadow Palace."

"No kidding. When I was interrupted in my bath two years ago by Sirius falling on top of me from the hole, I fought with a rei," Nanaya paused at the shocked looks he received. "What? I told Direct King Shirogane-sama about this a long time ago! He got this shocked look on his face too. Don't tell me that was Ryuuko? Man, he was weak though. The other rei… he was really strong. Maybe that was Ryuuko."

"There were two?!" Homurabi asked, standing up abruptly. Nanaya nodded slowly.

"They both looked a lot alike too. Now that I think about it, a lot like Akira. Both had black hair. One was wearing white robes. He had red eyes and used a scythe with a transparent blade. The other, weaker kid wore black robes. He used a spear with twin dragons on it," Nanaya said, looking at the facial expressions of alarm and shock. "When I was about to finish off the kid, the rei in white slammed me into the wall, pulled out something out of the kid and shoved it into Sirius."

"Hey. You talking about me?" Sirius asked, looking at the three. "Whoa, what's with the looks?" Homurabi and Sawaki stared at Sirius like he had grown a second head.

Sirius Black had become more handsome. His rich black hair had sheen of luster to it that his time in Azkaban had faded. His body was built fully, due to his training with Sawaki and full meals he partook in. He appeared younger, more vibrant than when he had first arrived, the Shadows serving his every whim.

"Yeah. Talking about how the man in white robes told me to take you back to the Shadow Palace and tell Shirogane you were Kazuki's Child and how Shirogane would understand," Nanaya said, casually. He didn't mind Sirius all too much actually, since Sirius was a prankster by nature and Nanaya loved to cause mischief.

"I didn't know Ryuuko could be so demanding-whoa!" Sirius started, only to be slammed into the wall by Homurabi. Homurabi's claw like hands were on his shoulders, his cat-like green eyes wide.

"You met Ryuuko?! You sure it was him?!" Homurabi asked. Sirius blinked.

"Uh… That's what Harry called him," Sirius said, scratching the back of his neck.

"Who's Harry, Sirius?" Sawaki asked. Sirius grinned.

"He's my godson. Well, kind of," he said, a little unsure. "He told me that he was possessing the vessel of Harry Potter and he was actually Kazuki. Said something about the balancer of Dark and Light magic…"

Homurabi's jaw dropped in shock. He backed away, his face frozen. Then he turned and swept out of the room.

"Well, that was weird. You know, after spending a year with you guys, Shirogane isn't as bad as I thought he was going to be," Sirius said, grinning, looking at where Homurabi left. "Harry kind of made him sound heartless. But he's not heartless. He's more of a Mr. No-Fun. Hey, Nanaya! Want to see something cool?"

Nanaya laughed. Sawaki groaned, feeling a headache come on.

-0-

Draco hesitated as he sat down at the Drawing Room table. The Dark Lord had called a meeting regarding the loss and power of the King of Dark.

"Obviously, normal techniques will not work to pull him towards our side. Magic has a very weak effect on the King of Dark and his Children," Voldemort said, Nagini slithering around his shoulders. "He was perfectly willing to throw away his Children." He pet Nagini. "I have thought of this matter."

"My Lord… it's possible that the King of Dark does not want us to interfere with his defeat over the King of Light, Ryuuko," Yaxley said.

"Possible, but improbable," Voldemort said smoothly. "Regardless, when we get him on our side, we will be unstoppable. He eliminated forty four out of fifty men with a single swing of that sword of his."

"Perhaps… we should take his weapon instead of him," Bellatrix said, looking pleased that Voldemort was in the room. Voldemort glared at her and she instantly stammered out apologies.

"Foolish," Voldemort said calmly. "Even if we did manage to take the weapon instead of him, there is absolutely no guarantee that we could use it. It is likely that the weapon, like the King of Light's weapon, is immune to magic. Lucius, you have dueled Ryuuko as well. How is he?"

"Powerful, my Lord. Powerful beyond belief. I believe he refrained from killing me on purpose, though I wouldn't know why," Lucius said, hesitating. "He is… not a man to be taken lightly."

"My Lord! I dueled with him too," Bellatrix said. Voldemort gave her a cool look.

"You were knocked out very soon after," he said. "Sent through a pile of rubble, I believe."

Bellatrix bowed her head in shame. Voldemort moved on.

"He… like all the other Light, is soft, most likely. Believing in the power of love," Voldemort said, the table guests giving out a soft chatter of laughter. Lucius didn't laugh, as he knew the reason why Ryuuko had spared his life.

Lucius, since then, had been doing a lot of thinking. Draco was a friend of Harry Potter. And Ryuuko knew Harry Potter well. Ryuuko had spared his life for Draco in Harry's honor. Ryuuko had warned him to rethink his loyalties. And that's exactly what he had been doing.

"Ah, yes… The magnificent power of love which failed to protect many others from death," Voldemort said softly. "I shall need… a wand." He looked around the table. Most of the wizards and witches looked down, not wanting to offer him their wand. "No volunteers? Let's see… Lucius. I see no reason for you to have a wand anymore."

Lucius looked up. Draco stiffened, but didn't protest.

"My Lord?" Lucius asked, uncertain.

"Your wand, Lucius. I require your wand," Voldemort held out his bony hand for it. Lucius slowly withdrew his wand and placed it in his Lord's hand, wishing more than ever, that he had defected to Ryuuko's side earlier. Ryuuko seemed powerful enough to protect anyone from harm. He wouldn't be in this situation.

Voldemort took it and headed back to the head of the table. He waved the wand and a woman was lowered over the table.

"For those who don't know, we are joined here tonight by Charity Burbage, who, until recently, taught at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." Voldemort's voice was mocking, taunting. Draco looked at the woman, almost wishing he could do something to help. He really hated these meetings since the topic was all about the same. Kill Potter. Torture more muggles. Eliminate mudbloods…

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

The loud THUMP jerked Draco out of his thoughts, his eyes wide. Voldemort hissed to his snake and the large snake struck.

-0-

"Harry…?" Dudley said softly, watching Harry weed the garden. Harry paused and looked up at him, his long black hair tied up high on his head. Sweat was trickling down his face as he worked.

"Yes, Dudley?" Harry asked, looking at the pile of weeds, apparently satisfied with his work. He watered the flowers and watched Dudley try to get his words out.

"There's a strange man sleeping on your bed."

Harry almost tripped over the hose. He stared at Dudley, who was looking at him expectantly.

"He… looks a lot like you actually. He was sleeping this morning when I went to call you for breakfast. This sounds crazy… but mum went to call you for breakfast too… and she didn't see him," Dudley said. "Also… I think I saw him in a dream once."

Harry started to laugh, his eyes glittering with amusement. "Don't worry, Dudley. You're not going crazy. He can't usually be seen by normal people, but he's there."

"Is he… a ghost?" Dudley asked, looking alarmed.

"He is… in short terms, my Father," Harry said, amused.

"If you had a dad, why didn't you live with him instead of us? I thought you were an orphan," Dudley said, surprised.

"Because you were correct in saying he is dead," Harry said calmly. Dudley paused at this.

"So… he is a ghost," Dudley said. Harry paused before nodding a little.

"But if you can talk to him, I'm sure he'd appreciate the company. He's pretty gloomy all by himself and he does like to socialize," Harry said, taking the weeds to be discarded. "Just keep your voice down. Aunt Petunia and Uncle Vernon can't hear him, but they can definitely hear you."

Dudley nodded, getting up and moving back into the house. Harry hummed, getting to painting the fence. He could feel Ryuuko's eyes on his back while he was working.

Ryuuko had disapproved of the chores quite venomously. To Harry's surprise, Ryuuko didn't want Harry to be doing these pointless chores and would have rather he be training for the upcoming battles. Personally, Harry agreed, but argued that since he was living in the Dursleys house one last time, he might as well help out. Ryuuko had stayed indoors as he didn't think that he would be able to resist ruining Harry's work in irritation.

Harry glanced at the window to see Ryuuko turned away from it and looking towards the door. Of course, Dudley being able to see Ryuuko was just a bonus. He wouldn't have Ryuuko breathing down his neck about chores.

Harry moved back into the house when he was finished. He ate his lunch rather quickly before heading up the stairs, the bread still in his mouth and holding the block of cheese in his hand.

Ryuuko was telling Dudley about the Light Palace. Dudley's eyes were shining brightly, a look of complete and utter wonder on his face. Both of them turned to him when he arrived and Ryuuko stood up, walking over to embrace Harry. Harry smiled at him, relaxing as Ryuuko's power over ice and cold air soothed his heated skin.

"Thank you, Father," Harry said calmly, shutting the door. Ryuuko smiled lightly, placing his head on Harry's shoulder very briefly before standing up straight.

"You're safe," Ryuuko said softly. "That's all that matters."

"I've always been safe," Harry said, looking amused. "When you're nearby, I feel safe." He smiled a little, taking the bread out of his mouth and sitting on the bed as Ryuuko sat back down on the floor to talk to Dudley more.

It was nightfall when they had to part, so Ryuuko had purposefully not taken the limiting potion. Harry had a quiet debate on whether Ryuuko should continue to take the potion or not since he was going to be in danger often. Ryuuko had won that battle, insisting he be battle ready.

Harry looked at the Dursleys, sighing deeply. "Goodbye then."

Dudley hesitated before saying, "Aren't you coming?"

"No… I've got business to take care of. Keep in touch, okay, Dudley? Preferably after the war," Harry said, waving at him. "I'll let you know my address when I find out, if I haven't died by then." He smiled pleasantly, but Dudley frowned.

"You… won't really die, will you?" Dudley asked.

"Probably not. And if I do, I'll take the bastard that killed my parents down with me," Harry said calmly. Dudley nodded slowly, unsure, but being ushered away by his parents. Petunia didn't look at him, but Vernon gave him a nasty look.

Watching his friends all transform into him was a little strange. Ryuuko had come down the stairs to see them and was shocked stiff for a minute. Then he gravitated to the real Harry and whispered, "Um… How am I supposed to help in transporting you?"

"Now… We each have a guard," Moody said, his magical eye swiveling to Ryuuko. "You… You're that man from the Ministry years before. You're Ryuuko, correct?"

Ryuuko blinked, nodding slowly. "That is correct. I am Ryuuko."

"We've agreed as you're the best in combat… even if you don't really use magic, that you should lead the group," Moody said. "Mostly because magic doesn't really affect you." Harry reached over and gripped Ryuuko's right hand hard, but Ryuuko smiled.

"Of course," he said, holding up his left hand and watching his scythe materialize in a flash of light. Moody looked both intrigued and satisfied. "I am not the best at attack, but I will do my best."

"Be careful," Harry said. Ryuuko looked at him.

"Harry, you don't have to worry about me," he said confidently. "I will be just fine."

"Harry, you'll go with Hagrid on Sirius' flying motorbike," Moody said, pointing at Hagrid. "The rest of us will divvy up and we'll meet you at the Burrow."

"When you split, I'll continue going straight," Ryuuko said calmly. "I will head for the Burrow and throw off any Death Eater trails along the way. They will probably be actively hunting me since I am a great threat. Trust me, Harry. I will get there, even if I'm a bit late."

Harry nodded. Ryuuko was always calm, confident. There was very little Ryuuko could not do.

Traveling on a flying motorbike wasn't so bad. But as soon as they left, they were ambushed by at least thirty Death Eaters. Harry shot spell after spell at them, making sure to stun or body bind them. He could see Ryuuko, a white streak of light, cut through the Death Eaters with ease, killing as many as he passed. Harry raised his wand at Voldemort, as Voldemort shot a spell at him.

Golden fire shot out of his wand. Harry's eyes widened as it engulfed Voldemort's wand and burned it to a crisp. Voldemort seemed just as shocked, but then his face contorted with anger. He shouted for someone to give him their wand and then they all vanished.

Harry appeared at the Burrow via Portkey. He was immediately slammed into the wall by a frantic looking Lupin.

"What was the name of the man only you knew in the Shrieking Shack in your third year?!"

"Kou," Harry said calmly, having expected this. Lupin sighed, lowering his wand and shaking his head.

"Someone's a spy. Someone told!" Lupin seemed frantic. Harry smiled a little, shaking his head.

"I trust everyone that came with us today. I don't think anyone told," Harry said, sitting in a chair. He watched Molly Weasley fret over George's missing ear and closed his eyes, trying to feel for Ryuuko. Ryuuko was alright, it seemed.

"Harry… Hedwig…" Hermione's voice said softly.

Hedwig was on the bottom of her cage. Harry's eyes widened as he knelt down and placed a hand on his owl. She didn't move. Harry's eyes closed and he let out a pained breath.

"Well… I suppose I should give her a proper burial," Harry said softly, petting his owl's still body.

-0-

Ryuuko's red eyes gleamed in triumph as the Death Eaters started to retreat. The more foolish ones, however, attempted to engage him in combat. Ryuuko was ready, his scythe shimmering with his Light, battle inevitable if he wanted to get back to Harry-

Until three kokuchi suddenly appeared and ate the three Death Eaters he would have been facing. Ryuuko blinked, flattering, not understanding, looking down for the culprit.

Long crimson hair, a diamond pattern on his forehead… it was Homurabi. Ryuuko landed on the building, not too far away from him, slightly wary after what had happened their last meeting. He eyed the surroundings briefly, wondering if there was a hidden shin or perhaps someone who was going to attack him when he let his guard down.

"…I… haven't seen you for quite some time…" Homurabi started slowly, lowering his hand. The kokuchi vanished, having completed their task. Ryuuko took a deep breath.

"What is it you came for?" Ryuuko asked, his ruby red eyes only slightly mistrustful. Homurabi hesitated, which Ryuuko found slightly odd. In fact, if Ryuuko hadn't been so close to him, he wouldn't have heard the next phrase Homurabi had murmured out.

"…I'm sorry… Ryuuko-sama."

Oh. Oh! Well… this was unexpected. "…It was our fault too…" Ryuuko lowered his weapon and looked less guarded at Homurabi. "To have driven you that far…"

"Will you shut up and let me apologize properly! You're always saying those infuriating things!" Homurabi ranted, pointing a finger at Ryuuko. Ryuuko smiled lightly, not offended in the least.

"Just… I'm sorry, okay? I shouldn't have done that," Homurabi said, hesitating.

"Well… you did just save me there, so I'll call it even," Ryuuko said, nodding his thanks. Homurabi cracked a smile.

"Even if I hadn't sent those kokuchi out, you would have killed them anyway," Homurabi said. "Look, I'll make it up to you. Just… tell me what I need to do."

Ryuuko's eyes softened and he walked closer to Homurabi. Homurabi refrained from flinching, thinking that Ryuuko was going to hit him but knowing that he would have probably deserved it anyway. Ryuuko had never been one for violence though, so Homurabi wasn't that surprised when Ryuuko simply placed his hand on his shoulder.

"Take care of Shisui for me, alright?" Ryuuko requested. Then he jumped off the building and into the night.

Homurabi had frozen in place. Suddenly, he whipped around, screaming into the night in the direction Ryuuko vanished into, fairly sure that Ryuuko couldn't hear him, but wanting to get it out of his system.

"I DON'T NEED YOU TO TELL ME THAT, YOU STUPID KING!"