A/N: There was a lemon in this chapter but due to FFN rules, it has been deleted.
Playing With Magic
Chapter 6: The Gift of the Intended
The feeling of wrongness overwhelmed Akemi. This attack from Naraku was nothing like all the other ones they had faced. Youkai were everywhere and the smell of him clung brutally in the air, but there was no puppet or no incarnation anywhere. She shivered and glanced around, nothing. Her miko sense couldn't pick up anything beyond the lesser youkai around them.
Inuyasha, she called to him through their link.
It had been over a week since they had gone to the dens. They had only been given the pleasure of remaining there for two days before Inuyasha called them back with a rumour of a shard. They had also kept the link open the whole time, hoping that keeping it open would speed up her changing process.
A scream of warning warned her moments before a youkai snapped it's massive jaws at her. She easily avoided and beheaded it. Another was there to takes it place without a moments notice. Koga and Inuyasha were back to back fighting together. Kagome was on Kirara high in the air, her arrows shooting down occasionally and wiping out dozens of youkai. Sango and Miroku had Shippo in the middle of them, protecting the kit.
Akemi, he finally responded.
Something isn't right, this isn't Naraku's style. There are no incarnations or a puppet so he must be waiting for something, she told him.
What the hell would he be waiting for?
I'm not sure, that is what has me so nervous.
Get closer to us, we can't help you if you are that far away from everyone, Inuyasha informed her.
She finally looked around for the first time and realized she was being pushed backwards away from her friends. Naraku must be after her to kill her quickly or use her as leverage against Inuyasha. She charged forward and tried to push through only to have a youkai slam itself into her chest, the snap of a rib sounded loudly in her ears. Quickly she focused her powers and held the wound to her.
It would not do well if Inuyasha was down with a broken rib and she remained to fight. Being so far away from the group, she really was no help to them. She hissed when she moved to avoid another charging creature and jarred her rib.
"Bloody hell," she cursed through clinched teeth, "you bloody wanker."
Her hand shot threw the youkai's innards and tore it apart before she pulled it back. She blinked in surprise there on the end of her fingers, where her once stubby ningen nails had been, was claws. Long and sharp, they glinted in the light stained in blood. A thought passed through her mind for a moment, she shared in Inuyasha's strengths while connected to him, so maybe she could harness his moves.
"Blades of Blood," She screamed and the red blades shot from her nails, killing several youkai around her.
She stood in shock for only a moment, before she replaced her katana and used her claws to tear her way to her friends. A flying youkai ascended on her, and she found herself biting the creature's neck and tearing away flesh. Pain flash through her gums and she licked her teeth, feeling her canine grow and sharpen into fangs.
Akemi cried out in pain, her body flaring in her blue light, purifying everything that came to close. Her head throbbed painfully and her body convulsed before she fell to the ground with a loud thud. Kagome commanded Kirara to take her down and she pulled Akemi's prone body onto the two tailed neko. She fled from battle, travelling as far away as possible.
Kirara sat them down near a small brook.
Kagome stripped Akemi down and bathed her with the cool water, washing away the blood from her body. Her eyes widened when she noticed her claws. The flush that highlighted Akemi's face made Kagome nervous. The poor girl was extremely feverish and was shivering. With the help of Kirara, Kagome was able to move the girl to a dry patch of green and dress her in a soft blue sweater and pair of dark blue jeans.
She built a fire and sat back to wait for the return of the others. She should be out there helping, but Akemi couldn't be left alone, not in this state. Kagome had seen the broken rib on her right side. Her whole rib cage was back and blue and sticking up at an odd angle. Her fever was way too high and she didn't seem to be ready to come too any time soon.
It felt like hours before Koga, Inuyasha, Sango, Miroku and Shippo slipped through the forest and into their hiding spot. They all looked worse for wear and Kagome immediately began patching everyone one up. Koga sat down next to Akemi, he reached out to push back some hair that had fallen into her face only to pull his hand back with a hiss.
"What is wrong with Akemi," Koga turned to Kagome who was currently patching up Inuyasha.
"I don't know," she said in a shaky voice, "I saw her suddenly pass out on the battle field, her miko powers flared to life for a moment, but then she was defenceless so I got her out of there. She has a really bad broken rib on her right side and she is heavy with fever. But, I don't know what potion to give her, she isn't awake to tell me."
"I'm not feeling any of her pain, she must have used her powers to hold her injures to herself," Inuyasha shook his head.
"We can't leave her feverish like this," Miroku told them, "she is much too hot to be healthy."
"What can we do," Sango looked worried.
"What do ningens do for fevers," Koga asked, standing ready to go get whatever was needed.
"There is a herb that could help," Kagome told him, grabbing a notebook from her backpack and a pen she drew a rough sketch of the plant and handed it to him, "this is what we need."
"I'll go collect the remedy that my mother taught me," Inuyasha left immediately followed by Koga.
"Miroku," Kagome called him over when he had finished patching up Sango, "I think this has something to do with her youkai blood, look," she pointed to Akemi's claws.
Miroku took her hand in his and expected the deadly sharp nails. He reached forward and pushed open her lips revealing the pointed fangs.
"It must have been," he nodded to Kagome, "she had fangs and claws now. So, maybe the fight had brought out instincts that allowed her body to regain their natural powers and allowed her more basic defences to become dominate."
"Maybe the change was painful," Sango suggested, "It's likely the strain on her body to produce her youkai appearance without her soul was too much for her."
"That is always a possibility," Miroku hummed, "we should wait till Inuyasha and Koga return and Akemi awakens to try and think about it further. After all, we need her side of the story."
-x-
Her blue and gold eyes snapped open and she groaned. Her head was pounding and the taste of blood filled her mouth. A flick of her tongue gave her the discovery that she had pierced her tongue on her own fang. She sat straight up in shock. She had fangs. She blinked and looked around the darkened hut.
Another groan slipped from her and she attempted to rub her temples to try and get rid of her headache. Her fingers only barely touched her temples before she pulled them in front of her face to examine the claws that had almost broken skin. The battle snapped to the forefront of her mind and she remembered what happened.
Akemi jumped to her feet and stumbled out of the hut. The group was sitting at the edge of the forest on the outskirts of the village. She stumbled momentarily before walking slowly toward them. She heavily sat down at the bottom of the hill and called out for them. She didn't have to strength to go all the way to the top.
Her friends were beside her in a second. Koga instantly sat down behind her and pulled her into his lap.
"You shouldn't be up, you have been asleep for three days," Koga scolded her.
"I feel fine," she grumbled, leaning back against his chest with a sigh of contentment.
"Akemi," Kagome sat down in front of her, "what happened?"
"It was a blur," she flinched when her head throbbed, "I was just in the middle of battle, trying to figure out what Naraku was up to. But, Inuyasha alerted me to the fact that I was being isolated. So I tried to fight my way back to you guys. The next thing I knew something head butted my chest and the flare of white hot pain as my rib broke made it hard to think. My hand dove through it's body and when I pulled it out, I had claws.
I continued fighting using some of Inuyasha's techniques, but then a creature came at me from the sky and I was forced to use my ningen teeth. It was a lot harder to rip through it's skin but once it backed away my whole mouth was on fire and I felt the fangs grow. All I remember after that was pain, so much pain," she shivered and curled up into Koga's arms.
"Your ningen body was never meant for all of this," Miroku gestured at her youkai appearances, "even if your blood holds youkai quality to it, your soul is what helps bind it all together. Without the soul, every time one of your youkai abilities is realized, it will possibly consume you in pain till your body is used to it."
She moaned in pain and buried her face in Koga's neck, "don't say that. I don't want to be afraid of this."
"I apologize," Miroku sighed, "but you need to know what your up against."
She mumbled, 'stupid bloody wanker. What the hell is his problem with me? Why is he doing this to me?'
Everyone but Kagome stared on in confusion, 'Akemi, who are you talking about?'
'Bollocks,' Akemi groaned, having forgotten that Kagome would understand her, 'Naraku. The blood bugger planned this. I just know he did. Somehow he must have figured out that I am youkai and is trying to speed up the change, why I don't know but I just know that bastard had something to do with this.'
'Are you sure about that?'
'Oh I'm blood well sure.'
'I've never heard you curse so much, is something wrong?'
Akemi sighed, 'just in a lot of pain.'
"Akemi thinks that Naraku knows of her on going change and is trying to force it to come about," Kagome told them, leaving out all the swear words.
"What would Naraku have to gain from her becoming a youkai," Sango asked the question they were all thinking.
"I'm not sure," Miroku mused, "it could be that he thinks her body will succumb to the pain of the change and break before the souls can right themselves."
"That bastard," Inuyasha snarled.
Kagome laughed and Akemi shortly followed, "Akemi said that too. Among a bunch of other things."
"I have a bad mouth, no thanks to Inuyasha and all my friends back home," she giggled.
"At least your feeling better," Koga smiled running his fingers through her hair.
"Much better," she relaxed against him, "besides the throbbing in my head. Oh, I have a potion for that in my backpack."
"Which one," Kagome stood and started back to the hut.
"The liquid is clear, so you will need to bring the whole bag otherwise you might get the wrong one."
Kagome returned with and handed the girl her backpack. She opened it and began digging though.
"Ugh, I can't find anything in here," Akemi huffed.
"What, it's so much smaller then my backpack," the raven haired woman blinked at her in confusion.
Akemi just smiled and got off Koga's lap, she walked a little bit away from the group, opened the backpack and stepped inside. They all watched wide eyed as she disappeared into the material.
"BLOODY HELL," she cried out, "why did I even bring this? What the heck is this doing here? Draco, you wanker! Ugh! Who gave me this? What the hell? Son of a bitch," a loud crash followed and a groan, "I'm going to kill them."
Akemi pulled herself up, only her head and arms visible, a clear vial clutched in her hand, but her bright pink hair startled them all, "It would seem that Fred and George found my backpack on the train and decided to put a little joke in my bag. I'm going to have to return the favour."
"What happened to your hair," Kagome helped the girl from her bag.
"Oh you know, just a spell placed on an object so that if I touch it, this happens," she gestured, "it will wear off. I can't believe they had the audacity to do this. Though with those twins anything is possible."
"I haven't met them, have I?"
"No, no. Just really got to know them last year actually. They cheered for me during the Triwizard Tournament. This isn't their first trick and nor will it be their last. Though, they are suppose to graduation soon," she gulped down the potion and gagged at the flavour but she instantly felt better.
"You sound fond of them."
"The twins are so much fun to be around. They are constantly cracking jokes and pulling pranks, though most of them are aimed at my house. They are the brothers I wish I could have had during my childhood. Ginny has such fun stories after summer break."
"How many siblings does Ginny have?"
"Six older brothers," she laughed, "youngest of them all she is, but she loves her family."
Akemi moved over and sat back down in Koga's lap, snuggling into his arms.
"How does their mom do it," Kagome asked.
"If you met their mum, you would love her! She is so kind and loving yet so very stern. She has to be. Fred and George are obnoxious. Ron has a very bad temper. Percy is a stickler for rules. Charlie deals with dragons on a daily basis and Bill is a curse breaker. Ginny, herself, is a hand full, the spite fire girl."
Shippo bounced into Akemi's lap and she automatically started running her fingers through his hair, "do you have to go home?"
"Hai, I must go to school. I have an obligation to my education. In other words. It's my duty to learn."
"Why can't you just miss a year," Inuyasha asked her.
"Because, I just can't" she sighed, "it's not good for me to miss to much school, and unlike Kagome I can't just pop back and forth, I would go broke."
"Inuyasha," Koga commanded the hanyou's attention, "let her rest till she goes home. She deserves some time off, all things considered."
He bristled, "you want me to let her waste the last two weeks to relax when she can do that at home?"
"It wouldn't be wasting," Sango ventured, "she is going through a really hard time, and she barely got time to just sit and relax with all of us without constant fighting."
"Naraku has been attacking us a lot lately," Miroku nodded, "it would be nice just to sit here and talk before she is gone for another nine moon cycles."
"Gomen, Inuyasha," Kagome sighed, "but I think they are right. Besides, even though Koga had been with us the whole summer, they haven't really gotten any time to spend together."
"Arigato, Kagome," Koga smirked.
"Gomen, Inuyasha," Akemi mimicked Kagome, "but please? I really don't feel so well and I'm going to miss you all when I'm home."
"Fine," he snapped, "but just this once."
-xLemonx-
(Deleted because of FFN Regulations)
A week of relaxation, laughter, jokes and fun was shared before Inuyasha grew ansy and took everyone but Akemi and Koga off to release some pint up energy. Koga couldn't have been happier. He stalked the village, looking for signs of the fully healed not-quite-youkai red head. He found her in a field of herbs, picking the plants with gentle hands being mindful of her claws.
"Akemi," he called to her.
She smiled up at him, "Koga-kun."
"Would you come with me," he held out his hand to her.
"Of course," she put her hand in his and let him help her up.
She silently ran with him, not questioning his actions. She noticed her backpack was strapped to his back. He slowed down and pushed an opening to a clearing ahead. She entered first with his urging. She stood in awe of the place around them.
It was beautiful. A small geyser poured like a waterfall over a small cliff, filling a large pound with it's heated waters. The steam rose in the air and drifted off above the trees. The foliage around the clearing was thick and kept anyone that wasn't youkai from finding such a wonderful place.
The grass was lush and green under her bare feet, she had stopped wearing shoes in the past since last year. Beautiful white flours grew around the edge of the water and filled the air with their sweet aroma.
"I found this, while I was out the other day," he smiled, "I thought you might like it here and enjoy the hot waters."
"Did you plan to join me," she glanced over her shoulders with a blush on her cheeks.
"If you would allow me the pleasure," Koga gave her a reassuring smile.
"I would like that," she giggled nervously.
"That isn't the only reason I brought you here."
She turned around watching him with thoughtful eyes, "I didn't think it would be."
He grinned at her, "Akemi. I understand that you wish to wait to be mated."
"Koga," she started, setting her hand on his chest.
"I do not wish to change your mind," he told her effectively ended what she had to say, "but, I do hope that you will accept this gift and wear it to show proof that you are my intended."
He pressed the fabric into her hand and urged to open it. Akemi held it securely in the palm of her hand and opened the silk. Inside of it a beautiful headband was nestled. The band was thin and made of a dark blue fabric. A pendant of the sun would fall in the center of her forehead and strung around the whole band was bright blue topazes. It gave off the feel of the dark of the night becoming the brightness of day. A small almost invisible chain dangled down a tear drop shaped diamond, it would lay perfectly at the start of her nose in between her eyes.
"The adamant, is actually a protection stone," he told her, "this has been passed down through our family line, there is something similar like this running through all high youkai families."
"I love it," she breathed, "it's so beautiful."
She ran her finger over the gems, hardly being able to believe that Koga would want her to keep such a keepsake.
"Then you accept," Koga asked waiting almost impatiently for her answer.
"Hai, arigato," she smiled, wrapping her arms around him she whispered into his ear, "aishiteru."
"Aishiteru, koishii."
She de-tangled herself from him and gently set the keepsake on the ground near a large rock. She heard Koga rustling around behind her and a splash. Turning around she noticed his clothing and katana piled on the ground near a different rock and he was in the water, his back to her.
Nervously she strip her clothes, she had never been embarrassed of her body actually she liked her body, but she had always been a person of modesty. She dug through her bag and grabbed her bathing supplies and walked to the edge. She set everything down and slid into the water. As soon as she did, Koga turned around and leaned against the edge of the pool.
"Arigato," she blushed.
He laughed and just shook his head at her. Slowly she relaxed into the waters and began washing her hair and body. Koga watched her intently, she was beautiful as the waters dripped gently down her skin. Her hair sparkled like diamonds had been woven into it. She took his breath away.
The sudden smell of arousal made her look up and into the dark orbs of her intended. He was watching her, his muscles completely strained from forcing himself to stay in place. Gaining confidence she didn't feel, she walked in the shallow water towards him. When she stood, her breasts were pulled free from the waters steamy cloak and left bare for him to see. He sucked in a deep breath and curled his nails into the palm of his hands, causing the nails to break the skin.
Her hands laid gently on the muscles of his chest, her eyes watching them jump and twitch. She wondered if her touches made him feel the same as his did to her. Judging by the slight tremor in his arms, she was pretty sure they did. She took another step closer leaving only an inch of space between their bodies.
"Akemi," he groaned.
She leaned forward and gently moulded her lips to his. His hands uncurled and gently laid on her hips. Her tongue darted out on it's own accord and licked his lips, he opened his mouth to her and their wet slippery appendages moved together in a dance of dominance. She moaned softly.
Her foot moved to step closer but Koga's hands on her hips tightened and kept her in place, "I'm losing control, koishii."
Akemi's heart raced. Every time he had said those words before, it had brought fear into her and she had quickly backed away not ready to go that far. But, this time, her heart pounded in anticipation. The feeling of longing, want and desire burned her body, lighting a fire she didn't feel like stopping.
Again she tried to take a step forward but he merely tightened his grip and his nails dug sharply into her skin. The scent of her blood mixed with their arousal. His head jerked back from her as if he had been smacked. His instincts were taking over and he wanted nothing more than to lick away her blood and claim her right there and then.
"Koga," she called to him.
The tone in her voice snapped his attention straight back to her. He could see in her eyes her love for him, but also the wild fires of desire, want and need. He still couldn't bring himself to move.
"I'm ready," she whispered, "I want to give myself to you."
"Akemi," Koga groaned.
His hand on her hips crushed her body to his. He kissed her roughly, turning and pushing her against the boulder on the side of the hot spring. Her hands pulled the hair band from his hair, throwing it to the pile of his clothes, and proceeded to run her fingers through the silky strands.
During their coupling Koga pulled back slightly to look at her. His eyes went wide when he took her in. Two soft pink jagged stripes adorned each cheek at her cheekbone, on each upper eyelid was a beautiful sparkling silver line that reminded him the stuff Kagome once called eye liner and in the center of her forehead was a beautiful baby blue crescent moon with a blood red twelve point star in between the two tips of the moon; the moon was on the right and the star on the left.
After they both found their peaks, he gently rolled himself off of her pulling her onto his chest. They laid there listening to each other breathe. She sighed in contentment, placing a soft kiss against his chest. He hummed gently at the feel and she propped herself up to look at his face. She was delighted to see the love and happiness reflected in his eyes.
Koga noticed that her markings had disappeared but her ears stayed pointed. He ran his finger over the shell, tracing it with his eyes, mesmerized. It was their passion that had brought about another physical change and it hadn't hurt her.
"Your ears are pointed now," he told her.
"That's why it feels different," she giggled, "are your ears this sensitive?"
He smiled seductively, "why don't we find out?"
His arm pulled her against him and their lips met, renewing the desire.
-xEndofLemonx-
Three and a half days of alone time didn't seem like enough to the two lovers. They spent most of their waking moments, wrapped in a lovers embrace sharing in the intimate dance. But, to them it still wasn't enough. It had been their luck that the day they had decided to wash up, dress and return to the village from their lovers nest was the same day that the group had shown up.
They had bumped into each other at the bone eaters well. Kagome had gone home for a couple minutes to pick up some more medical supplies. They had ran out of a while ago, but she hadn't had the money to buy more till her mother got paid and could give her, her allowance. As soon as they entered the clearing, Inuyasha pounced on Koga his sword swinging wildly at the ookami, who was just fast enough to dodge every attack.
"When I agreed to alone time between you two, I didn't think you would take it this far," Inuyasha snarled trying to cut into Koga's legs to dislodge the shards.
"Inuyasha, what are you going on about," Kagome yelled angry at the hanyou for attacking the Prince.
He steadily ignored her, "you are disgusting! You couple with my sister and didn't mark her! You will not get away with defiling her!"
"It wasn't like that," Koga jumped backward narrowly avoiding another blow.
"Do not try to deny it, your scent is all over her. It's fucking inside her," he snarled, his eyes bleeding red even with Tetsusaiga firmly grasped in his hands.
"Inuyasha," Akemi cried, "I asked him not to!"
The hanyou stumbled to a stop and stared at her with wide shocked eyes, "nani?"
"He is my intended, Inuyasha. I assure you we will mate, but it must wait till I have my soul back," she tapped the sun pendant on the headband she wore showing him proof that she was Koga's intended.
In a daze he slid his sword into it's scarab, "so then, you let him touch you?"
"Hai, it was my choice," she soothed him with her words, "I didn't want to wait any longer for it."
His ears twitched but he remained where he stood. She moved forward slowly and wrapped her arms around him. The tension he felt melted away and he pulled her against him. When he had smelt their coupling on her, he had first thought that Koga had forced himself on her but when he saw their hands entwined he knew it wasn't the case. His second thought was Koga only wanted her for the possible hire or as a simple concubine.
Even if she wasn't his actual sister his instincts said she was. They insisted he protect her at all cost. It was a relief to know that they would mate in the near future. He moved to nuzzle her neck and he felt her ear against his cheek. Pulling her back he turned her head to study the appendage.
"It happened a couple days ago," she told him, "it was painless so nothing to worry about."
"What happened," Miroku asked curiously.
"Her ears are to their natural state," Koga told him.
Kagome finally absorbed the meaning of the men's fight and the blood ran from her face, "I need to talk to Akemi, alone."
No one spoke any objection and made their way to the village. Koga stopped and kissed Akemi on her lips before leaving. Akemi moved to the well and sat with her back pressed against the wood, watching Kagome curiously. The raven haired sat down gently next to her but kept her body facing the other woman.
"You and Koga had sex," Kagome asked with concern.
Akemi blushed, "Hai."
"Did you remember to use protection?"
"Of course," she laughed softly, "I used the contraceptive spell. I'm not ready to be a mom just yet."
Kagome relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief, "I wouldn't have been upset if you didn't. But, you aren't even out of school yet and I just worry about you."
"I know, I'm grateful for your concern," she told her, wrapping and arm around her shoulder for a one armed hug.
"How did it even happen," Kagome blushed when the question slipped from her lips.
Akemi giggled, "he wanted to give me the gift of the intended," she tapped the headband again, "and the place he found was so beautiful. It was so lush there and the hot springs was amazing. But, after he gave me the headband, he got into the water and I followed him in. One thing led to another and I felt ready, it felt right. It still feels right. I can't even explain the emotions he makes me feel. I just know he is the one and I feel so complete when we are together."
Kagome gave a dreamy sigh, "the headband is beautiful. I'm glad he makes you happy."
"Yeah, so am I."
-x-
The day had come for Akemi to return to the future for another year of schooling. Akemi and Koga had snuck off that night for a long intimate dance in their field and the next morning they returned tired, clean and thoroughly satisfied. Silence had remained prominent the whole way to the well. She stood awkwardly rubbing her hands together before the group.
Kagome was the first to approach her wrapping her up in a hug, "have fun okay? Don't miss us too much!"
"It's always fun at home, but I don't think I can go too long without missing you all," she told her with a smile, "I miss you all because I cherish you all, it's a bitter-sweet feeling."
Sango hugged her next, "come back to us, okay? We will miss you greatly."
"As I will miss all of you. I promise to return," she told her.
Miroku claimed his turn, and surprisingly kept his hands to himself, "don't give up on your friends there. I am sure they will pull through for you."
She felt tears finally sting her eyes. She hadn't let herself think about it. But, now she was heading home and could possibly be losing two friends and gaining two enemies.
"Arigato, Miroku."
Shippo jumped happily into her arms, "when you feel sad," he pulled out one of his amazing drawings of the group all dressed up in their animal counter part, "look at this and remember we miss you too."
The tears she had been trying so hard to hold back slipped down her cheeks and she cradled the kit to her chest, "it's beautiful. Arigato, Shippo."
"You're welcome," he told her before leaping over to Kagome.
Inuyasha stepped forward and pulled her to him, mindful of the piece of paper clutched in her hands, "I will miss you, sis. Please be safe there, just return to us in one piece, please?"
She sobbed softly before whispering, "aishiteru. I will miss you, too, brother. I will do my best to remain safe."
"Aishiteru," he told her before releasing her, leading the group to walk back to the village.
Koga wrapped his arms around her waist, pressing her back against his chest. He kissed her softly on her neck and gently licked her skin, tasting vanilla and rain water. Her tears were falling more freely now. She turned around and wrapped her arms around his neck, returning his kiss and lick, the taste of chocolate and cinnamon left her tongue tingling.
"Return to me, koishii," he whispered into her ear, "aishiteru."
"Aishiteru," she said in her voice cracked from her tears, "wait for me?"
"Always," he smiled against her neck breathing in her scent.
They shared one last passionate kiss that left them both burning for more before Akemi turned and jumped into the dark confines of the well. If she had stayed any longer, she would have lost the resolve to leave. She knew she had a duty to finish school, but the sadness that came with parting from her beloved, her brother and her friends was hard to swallow.
She jumped with ease out of the well. While she didn't fully have the strength of a youkai or even that of a hanyou, she still retained some of her youkai speed after all the open links with Inuyasha. Now she appeared youkai, with her claws, fangs and pointed ears. But the only abilities that had been fully awakened was her sight and hearing.
The sound of a car horn blared loudly in her ears and she cringed. It would do so much better for her to have her normal ningen hearing in this time. Digging into her bag she pulled out an illusion potion and downed it's contents. Her ears rounded, her nails shortened and her fangs receded. Now she would head off to get her portkey lest she be late.
-x-
The tug ended and her feet were firmly on the ground at platform nine and three quarters. Akemi walked into the train and found an empty compartment. She shrugged off her backpack and pulled out her school robes. If she didn't change she would stick out like a sore thumb in her priestess garb. Quickly she changed into her school uniform, minus the robe, stored her backpack and sat down heavily in the seat next to the window.
A few minutes later the door of the compartment opened and Ginny walked in, already wearing her uniform. She smiled her greeting as the other girl plopped herself down across from her.
"Hard summer," Akemi asked her.
"You have no idea," Ginny huffed.
She clamped her mouth shut from retorting that she did know and chose instead to say, "want to talk about it?"
"The twins were insufferable all summer," she groaned, "they wouldn't stop asking if I had written you all summer long."
"Why would the twins want to know if you were writing to Akemi," Blaise asked, inserting himself next to said woman.
"Seems odd," Draco sat next to Ginny, wrapping his arm lazily around her waist.
Akemi took notice immediately and turned her questioning eyes to Ginny who merely gave her a small nod.
"They said they just wanted to know what she thought of something," she shrugged.
"Oh, I'll tell you what I thought," she crossed her arms over her chest, "I had pink bloody hair for two whole days! It was the most annoying sight ever. I shined like a beacon!"
The other three in the compartment laughed loudly at her discomfort. Her ears were ringing, the pain of listening to so many people talking and her friends weren't all that quiet. She remained sitting there and kept herself from rubbing her temples to try to alleviate the building pressure behind her eyes.
Ginny shook her head, "how did they even do that?"
"It would seem, Draco left me a very indecent present and they stuck the hex on it before he placed it in my bag."
"You did what," Blaise and Ginny gasped at the blonde.
Draco shrugged, "it was just some lingerie."
"Which by the way, I will be returning to you."
"What do I need it for?"
"I don't know, Obviously you thought I would use it," she pointed out.
Draco shot Blaise a smirk and the dark skinned boy returned it. The two red heads rolled their eyes at the boys. The Ice Prince had known that his friend would enjoy the piece of material that he had bought. But, Akemi was going to return it, once she found it again in the huge mess that was her magically enhanced backpack.
"Oh my god," Ginny gasped leaning forward and pushing Akemi's hair from her forehead, "that is so beautiful! Where did you get it?"
"It was a gift," she smiled, "I felt bad about accepting something to expensive."
"Are those real gems?"
Akemi nodded gently, "yeah."
The other red head shifted backward but pressed on, "how was things in Japan?"
"Amazing," she gushed, "you should have seen the places we went! It was so beautiful this time of year. And I got to meet Koga-kun's father and the rest of his friends and family. Inuyasha wouldn't let me stay long and dragged me away, but I was injured so he had no choice but to let me stay for a while. Kagome-chan finally told Inuyasha her feelings and Sango-chan finally told Miroku-sama. I'm so happy for my friends.
Shippo spent most of his time clinging to me, he is such a sweet little boy. I can't believe how many things went on this summer! I already miss it there. It's so peaceful and quiet out in the forests and the sky is so clear you can see every single star," she sighed dreamily leaning back against the seat with a content smile on her face, "I think this summer was a success even if we didn't get done completely what Inuyasha had been hoping for."
"I wish I could go," Ginny smiled at her friend, "you always sound so happy and joyful when you come home from Japan."
"Oh, Ginny," Akemi sat forward and grabbed her hand and squeezed it gently, "if I could bring you, I so would. I would love to introduce you to my friends and show you around. All of the places I've been and seen, it makes staying in one spot for nine months the hardest thing I have to do in life. Being a nomad in Japan is amazing. Sleeping outside next to a camp fire, no tent just directly under the stars, unless the weather is bad then we usually find a cave or something."
"I'm jealous," she told her friend seriously.
"So, you saw Koga," Blaise drawled emotionlessly beside her.
Her nose however told her he was upset and jealous, "yes. Inuyasha allowed him to travel with us for the summer. The only time we really got to talk was when we were at his home, but he has a very large family."
"That sounds... like fun," even with his tense words the smell of jealousy disappeared from the air.
She wasn't going to upset Blaise the first day back by bluntly telling him of her relationship with Koga. She wouldn't allow him to touch her any longer, but she couldn't just break the poor boy's heart on her first day back from Japan and suffer the silent treatment all year.
-x-
Ginny and Akemi sat by the lake, it was mid September only a couple weeks into school, the air carried a chill that spoke of winter. They had been so busy getting used to their schedule that Akemi had been shocked to find Ginny standing outside her last class waiting for her.
"You haven't taken that headband off since you got to school," Ginny pointed out, "did Koga give you that?"
Akemi blushed, "how did you know?"
"Blaise told me about this guy that liked you back in Japan. He was very upset over you going, but apparently he got over it, or he is just using the girl he is with right now to try and push the thoughts of you from his mind," the Gryffindor shrugged.
"Great, I'm going to have to be the shoulder to cry on again once Blaise dumps her,"she sighed heavily.
"So, does Koga like you?"
"Yes," she smiled staring at the rippling surface of the lake, "he and I are dating. I really do love him as he does me."
Ginny's head snapped to the side to look at her, "really?"
Akemi smiled at her assuringly, "I'm more than sure about this. I gave myself to him."
"You mean you lost your virginity to him," her voice was a whisper but her eyes were wide and staring at her in disbelief.
"I did, About two weeks ago," she nodded, "he is the most amazing guy I've ever met. I was already falling in love with him since the first day I met him. It didn't even take the first week back in Japan for me to figure out I had already fallen."
"I'm happy for you. I know you would never do anything you didn't feel strongly about," Ginny frowned, "but what about Blaise?"
"I will tell him. I have to tell him soon," Akemi told her easily, "he deserves to know. I just don't want to spend the rest of the year without him. It's selfish to wait even this long to tell him, but I think he can wait till the end of the month."
"As long as you tell him."
"I promise."
-x-
"You wanted to talk," Blaise asked sliding into the empty class room.
Akemi sat next to a window and her eyes were casted out into the expanse of the horizon, "Blaise, did you sleep with that girl?"
"What," he asked startled.
"Just a simple yes or no."
"Yes."
"I haven't been completely honest with you," she sighed, "when I said on the train that Koga and I didn't get much alone time to talk, I meant just that. But, I never said we didn't get any alone time."
Blaise stiffened, "what are you saying?"
Akemi shifted uncomfortably, "I slept with Koga, multiple times during the last two weeks of my stay."
"Well, I slept with that girl all summer. We can just forgive each other and move on from this, can't we," he asked.
"I was just curious about the girl. Ginny told me about her, so I wanted to see if you were sleeping with her. It truly doesn't bother me," he could tell by the look in her eyes that she wasn't lying.
He all but snarled, "then just tell me what you have to say!"
Akemi flinched at the sudden loud noise but straightened out, "I am in love with Koga."
His face crumbled and tears gathered behind his dark orbs, "what?"
"I needed to tell you that we can't have a relationship, because the only person I want to be with is Koga. I'm sorry if I hurt you Blaise, I didn't know this would happen. I gave him a chance and things just went from there."
"He gave you that headband that you wear all the time, didn't he?"
"Yes."
In his anger he reached forward and tried to grab the piece of material, his fingers didn't even brush the stones before her hand was clamped around his wrist.
"Do not touch it," she hissed, "just because you are angry does not mean you can try and break something special to me."
He pulled away from her and she let him go. Anger burnt so deeply in his dark eyes and it sung her heart to know that she had done this to him. Purely out of accident, she had warned him of her plans to get to know Koga. This had always been a possibility. He turned and fled from the room, leaving her to stand there in the quiet space with a heavy heart.
-x-
Rumours travelled fast. Even with their horrible DADA teacher strutting around, it hadn't stopped the blazing inferno that tore through the school. She closed her eyes, trying not to listen to the words that people were saying. She was sitting at the Slytherin table, calmly trying to eat, but with her enhanced hearing she could hear almost every single whisper around her.
While almost everyone was laughing, there were a great few at the Gryffindor table who remained silent. Friends she had made during the celebration of the completion of the second challenge last year. Surprisingly even Ronald Weasley and Hermione Granger were among the people not joining in the rumours.
"Didn't you hear, she is a whore."
"I heard she slept with like ten guys."
"I wonder what changed her over summer, she was such an innocent girl."
"If she is such the slut they say she is, I wonder if she will let me have a go."
"She might be a slut but she is bloody gorgeous and I want a piece of that."
She was a piece of meat to them now, the men would try to consume her like vultures on road kill. A shiver ran down her spine. She had trusted Blaise with her secret, but in his hurt state he had spread the rumour and every time it was bounced around it became more and more distorted.
Akemi stood, forgoing her food, this was the seventh day in a row she couldn't find it in herself to eat. She walked briskly toward the door but was stopped when a dark brown haired, green eyes boy stood in her way. Harry stared down at her in concern, the dark bags under her eyes, the way her skin had paled to a complexion rivalling snow and the red ring around her eyes told him all he needed to know.
His hand slipped into her's and he gently tugged her to the Gryffindor table. She didn't fight back because her strength would win but it might hurt the boy. He gently pushed her down into the seat next to where he was sitting and began filling her plate.
"You need to eat,"he told her firmly, "I will not let you leave until I know your stomach is full."
"I'm not hungry," she stated.
"After seven days of not eating? You can't lie your way out of this one," Granger said smartly.
"If you do not wish to hear the lie, then I'll tell you the truth. I do not wish to sit here another moment and listen to the rumours," her dull almost black eyes connected with Granger's brown ones.
"I know it's hard to take," Harry sighed, "but you can't just give in."
Tears built behind her eyes but she pushed them down, "I really just want to go home. I came here hoping not to lose any friends and lost both of them."
"You still have me," Ginny reached out and set her hand gently on her's.
"Really," she whispered almost as if she was afraid of the answer.
"Yes, really."
"And you have us," the twins piped up.
"Don't forget me," Harry wrapped his arm around her shoulder.
"We are here too," Ron gestured to him and the bushy haired girl.
Her tears spilt then, but ones of joy. She wasn't alone, she had lost two friends only to gain so many more. Others such as Seamus, Dean and Neville jumped in to the conversation. None of them cared that they were the center of attention, they only cared that Akemi would wake from her depression and begin to live happily again.
Harry walked her to her common room that night. He remained silent until he found an empty class room and tugged her into it. A quick locking and silence charm and he breathed a sigh of relief.
"I've been meaning to ask you," he looked at her, "we have this group, we gather every once in a while to practice DADA since Umbridge won't let us. I was wondering if you wanted to join?"
"You mean, you guys would let me join," she asked with sparkling eyes.
"I get the feeling you already knew about the group?"
"I over heard a conversation," she waved it off, "I would love to join."
He pulled a long parchment from his pocket and unrolled it, laying it on the desk. He produced a quill and small jar of ink. Akemi instantly recognised the magic that lay within the paper and signed her name at the bottom of the list. A week of torture had led to something amazing.
-x-
Weeks had passed and still the rumours were merely growing. After all, what self respecting Slytherin sits at the Gryffindor table every single day and only hangs out with said house? Harry and her became best friends and they had just taken to doing everything together to keep Akemi from the constant laughter and physical shoving of her own house.
"So, Potter," Blaise drawled, "heard that Ito was spreading her legs so you though to see if she would for you too? I hear she puts out for anyone that gives her gifts."
Draco smirked from his spot next to his friend. Hermione, Ron, Ginny and Harry all grew tense at such an implication. People began to crowd around them, keeping a good distance due to Weasley's famous temper.
"You dirty rotten bastard," Ron hissed.
"Did she catch your fancy too, Weasel," Draco laughed coldly, "finally got tired of one mudblood so you automatically jump to the next."
"How dare you," Akemi snarled the sound completely inhuman, "you can call me whatever name you so like, but I will not stand around and listen to you call Hermione such a degrading term."
"Ah so she has a backbone, does she," Blaise laughed, "what will you do? Yell at us? Throw a fit? Maybe cry?"
The sound of knuckles cracking echoed through the halls, "do not test me, Zabini. It is bad enough that you started these rumours based of jealousy, but to continue to try and poke fun at my expense is getting tiring."
"Jealousy? What do I have to be jealous of?"
"The fact that I gave myself to Koga and not you," she hissed, "do not play games with me. You don't know what I'm capable of."
"After fire years, you spout that crap at us," Draco shook his head, "I think that is more than enough time for us to get to know you, mudblood."
"Then you do not know me well enough," she glared coldly at the boy, "if you had been my friends, if you had cared, you would not speak in such a way. I regret the day that I talked to the two of you and believe that you both had some kind of goodness in your heart. I hope you both enjoy knowing that when you are finally over whatever it is that is making you lash out at me, I will not forgive you."
Blaise's eyes flashed and he gasped, "Akemi."
"Do not speak my name," she snapped her jaws at him, "you do not deserve such a right. If any person here is foul, it is the both of you! Brother warned me away, he told me what would happen if I stayed by your side, but I did it any ways because I cared about you. Because you were my friends.
But friends don't make their friends feel like they are the lowest piece of filth on the face of the planet. They don't say rude things over and over again and expect to get forgiven every single time. I'm done with the two of you. Until you can prove that you are deserving of my friendship, I will remain acting like neither of you existed in my life."
"Just answer me one question," Blaise deflated, "does he make you happy?"
Akemi blinked and then sighed, "you would not understand the joy and completion I feel when I am around him, for you have never felt such for yourself. But, yes, he makes me happy."
"I'm sorry," the dark skinned boy turned and walked down the hall, his shoulder slumped.
Draco glanced at her with saddened eyes, but said nothing before he followed his friends.
"Jealousy can cause such foolish nature," Akemi said as if she was talking merely to herself, "those of us caught in it's dark hands can not see the light outside. We lash out because we miss the peace and tranquillity we once possessed but can't seem to find. What we don't know is the worse we treat someone for our own emotions, the more that emotion controls us and keeps us from our light."
"Akemi," Ginny rushed after her when she started to leave, "do you mean what you said? That you won't accept their apology even though you know why they are acting this way?"
"There is no apology that can cover the hurt that they have left in my heart. My soul is already in two and I have a hard time being away from brother as it is, They could have costed me my life had Harry not forced me to sit with you that day."
The red head's hand dropped to her side and she watched her best friend walk with hunched shoulder's toward her dormitory.
-x-
Akemi woke up to the sound of tapping at her window. She groaned about being woken up so early but allowed the owl to enter her room. It dropped a single package on the bed, but it was relatively large. Shrugging she tore away the wrapper and found herself staring a bunch of birthday presents. Today she turned sixteen and it seemed like her friends in Japan hadn't forgotten.
Shippo had given her a bunch of his magic tricks. She laughed and picked up a spinning top wondering if they would work on the mischievous twins. From Sango she received a small dagger that was beautifully designed. The leather grip had a large silver dragon engraved in it. Her jaw dropped, the dagger was made from a dragon demon remains which would make it almost unbreakable and unbelievably sharp.
Miroku had decided on giving her a round crystal ball. She rolled the small pink stone in her fingers feeling the pull of magic. It was a barrier stone, holding onto it would increase and strengthen her barriers. Kagome got her a very beautiful dress that she had seen at the mall during one of their many trips in Tokyo. It was perfect and made with the fabric she adored most; silk.
She stopped and sucked in a breath when she got to Inuyasha's gift. The sword pulsed as if calling her and her hand reached out and pulled it from the bed. The scarab was a rich crimson, much darker than her hair, and shined like polished marble. The hilt was wrapped delicately with black strips of leather. The cross guard was made from silver.
Taking a deep breath she pulled the blade from it's home. A flare of energy pulsed through her and she gasped loudly. It was Inuyasha's power. He had asked Totosai to use his fangs to forge her a demon blade. While the blade remained it's normal size it danced wildly with the red colour of his ki. She ran a finger up the back of the blade, listening to the fang.
It was elegant, forged with a woman in mind. It curved ever so slightly, and the blade was sharp enough to cut through stone. On the blade right above the cross guard the word Tenshi was inscribed.
"Tenshi," she whispered and the sword pulsed as if in agreement, "the blade of angels."
What a name for a demon blade. She slipped the sword back into it's scarab before setting it on the bed. Without her demon soul she might not be able to control it, but it was always worth testing. Moving her eyes away from the sword she found Koga's gift to her.
Furs and pelts of all sizes. He knew how much she enjoyed sleeping on he furs in his den. Delighted she brought the soft silky fur to her face and rubbed it gently on her cheek. Koga's scent clung to it.
She glanced over the furs and realized he had given her an outfit much like the one he always wore. A skirt of fur that would reach no further then two inches above the knee and armor that would cover only her breasts and ribs; leaving the fleshy part of her stomach bare as well as her shoulders.
A happy smile spread across her lips and she began to fold and put away all of her gifts into her magical bag. She had sorted through it thankfully and everything was back in order so putting away the stuff where they belonged was easy. She left the bedding fur out. As she made her bed with the dark brown fur she heard something fall to the floor.
Peaking around the bed she saw a beautiful silver chain. She picked it up carefully and examined it. The chain was long enough that it would wrap around her stomach just under her rib cage. She put it on and examined the beautiful dangling pendant that hung just above her naval. It was a beautiful twelve point red star, it's dark colours danced exotically in the sun light.
Looking back in the package she found a letter written by Kagome in English.
Happy Birthday, Akemi!
The whole group decided to pitch in and get things for your birthday. We really do hope you enjoy them. Please, do not think of the cost this time and just accept them? We all really worked hard to obtain them.
Inuyasha says to be careful with Tenshi. Totosai had told him that Tenshi couldn't be forged with just his fang that they needed one who controlled a heavily power. So, Inuyasha fought Sesshomaru and got lucky enough to knock one of his fangs out. He worries that even given it's name Tenshi might be to powerful of a demon blade and could corrupt you.
Miroku and Sango decided on more practical gifts, ones that would aid you in battle because they know how reckless you tend to be, even more so when connected to Inuyasha. Shippo threw in some of his tricks hoping you could use them to get back at the twins. He really likes the idea of being able to cause mischief in the future.
Koga hopes that you enjoy the furs. They are the ones from his bed at the den that he knew you loved. Also, Inuyasha pointed out that if you had his scent to sleep with at night it could help get rid of the nightmares I know you once said you suffered from. He also threw in an outfit because after all you are a part of his pack now. He doesn't expect you to wear it, just so you know. He gave it to you just in case you might want it.
And the belly pendant, he said it would help you feel connected with home. You don't need a protection stone since the headband already had one, so he got you a comfort stone. I didn't even knew they made those. But, it has a drop of each of our blood soaked into the stone to give you the comfort of our presence without actually being there. He hopes you like it as much as the headband.
Last but not least, I decided to get you that dress you have been dying for. It's not as extravagant as the other gifts and it's not that functional outside of our time. But, hey, sometimes feeling beautiful is all it takes to make your day even brighter.
I hope you have a good birthday, we all miss you so much! Inuyasha and Koga send their love.
Love,
Kagome
She grabbed a change of clothes, after taking off her new piece of jewellery, and proceed to shower for the day. Today was just another normal school day, so lulling behind would do her no good. The other girls would surely wake up soon. It had been a ritual for her to wake way before her dorm mates because she didn't want to deal with questions about the horrible scars that still marred her stomach.
After she was washed, she brushed her teeth and hair, applied a small amount of golden eye shadow to her upper eye lids and then a little bit of black eye liner to the bottom lids. She smiled at herself, her rosy pink lips pulled back to show the beautiful snow white teeth.
Turning she left the bathroom and pulled her hair into a high pony tail. Her locks now reached the middle of her thighs but when tied up she was able to get them to barely brush the small of her back. It was only so because she used her own hair to tie itself up, she had gotten quite skilled at it over the last couple years.
She clipped the belly chain on under her shirt before tucking in the white fabric. The headband had to be placed around her neck and hidden under her shirt, no visible jewellery was allowed during classes but she wasn't willing to go without wearing it somewhere on her person.
She exited the dormitory and walked quickly to the Great Hall. She pulled open the doors and sauntered in taking her customary seat at the Gryffindor table. Not long later did everyone slowly begin to fill the room. She had to laugh when she watched Ginny sheepishly slid into the Great Hall. The poor girl was often late to breakfast because she stayed up late to study and always had a habit of sleeping in.
She took her seat opposite of Akemi and held out a nicely wrapped package, "Happy Birthday, Akemi!"
The crimson haired woman blushed furiously but accepted the gift, "Thank you, Ginny."
"Wait, it's your birthday," Ron blinked stupidly.
"I'm not one to celebrate it," she laughed slowly opening the paper around the present, "it's just another day in my eyes."
"That's non-sense," Hermione tutted, "we should do something to celebrate!"
"It really is okay," she told her evenly as the paper fell away to reveal a book.
Her jaw dropped at the beautiful book in her hands, it's cover was black and no title was on it. She opened it to peer inside and would have dropped the book had she been holding it.
"Do you even know what this is," Akemi glanced up at her friend with awe filled eyes.
"No actually," she blushed, "I can't even read it and no translation spell we have tried works. But, for some reason when I got it, I thought you would appreciate it more than me."
"How did you get this?"
"My brother Bill had to go to Japan and he found it in a cursed dwelling that they were trying to enter. There was much more than this, but this was the only thing he was allowed to keep."
"This is absolutely amazing," she ran her fingers over the words.
Hermione sighed, "we have been trying so long to decode the book."
"It's useless," Ron rolled his eyes.
"It's not useless, nothing is useless," Akemi told him easily, "this book is written in an ancient language, it's not a surprise you were unable to use magic to translate it."
"Well what good is a book that you can't even read," Ron huffed, his cheeks tinged red.
Akemi was already flipping through the pages, her eyes scanning quickly over the words. It was flawless, beautiful. The scripts remained in tact and she was shocked to see that not even a single page had any sign of ageing. Everyone watched her, none of them said anything till she looked up.
"This is perfect," she gushed, "the pages are totally untouched by time, but I know this book is centuries old. The script is flawless, whoever wrote this had a very steady hand. The brush strokes are beautiful, as if he was painting a picture instead of words."
"You got all that just by looking at it," Harry asked, "I just noticed it was a book with words I couldn't read."
She laughed and then smiled, "it's more than that. It's history. It's from a time that no longer can be seen, but can be read. It gives people insight to things long since passed."
"Yeah, if you could read it," Seamus laughed bringing in his group of friend to the conversation.
Akemi flipped to the first page, "The Great Demons. Known to all across the vast lands were four demons who stood taller than life itself. They created a pathway, an opening to allow others of their kinds to live among the humans. The humans afraid of such creatures tried to fight but found the struggle useless. The Great Demons took command and sought to bring peace to both species.
They divided the land in four equal sections to be ruled over by their Great Demon Lords. The Lord of the North, East, West and South took control, watching over their lands, making sure no great threat would come to their people. But did not interfere with every day lives.
With the threat of so many demons, priestess and priests came to the aid of the humans to help decrease the massive numbers of the demons. The Lords watched, intrigued by such a development, but did nothing to stop it. No creature could ever take their throne.
Generation after generation the throne of the lands was passed down to many Great Demons, some who ruled with kindness or caring and others who ruled with fear and death."
She stopped reading and looked up, "I've been looking for something like this since I was thirteen."
"You can read it," Hermione stared at her jaw dropped open.
"Yes," she nodded.
"Don't tell me you believe in that mumbo jumbo about demons, do you," Thomas asked leaning forward to peer at her.
"Is there any reason to believe that they don't exist," she asked him.
He laughed, "then where are they?"
"All around you," she said seriously causing the group to go deathly quiet, "I'm a priestess. It's what we are trained to do; fight and kill demons. Though, they aren't as plentiful, they still reside living like humans among us. If you paid attention in DADA you would have known that. They are allowed to live inside the wizarding community, most just choose not to."
Hermione nodded, "there isn't much known about them because they are so secluded now, but they do exist."