A/N: Well here is another full-length chapter (about time right?). I should warn you guys that my updating will be some what erratic but I will try and get at least one chapter up a month. Sorry but my university work takes priority. The song Ari sang in the last chapter was Nocturne by The Secret Garden.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything, I don't even own my laptop as my brother bought it for me.

Beta: Acolyte of the Blood Moon.

Ari stared at Linde with the expression she usually reserved for Inuyasha when he was being especially stupid. Linde just smiled serenely at the girl as if he hadn't just asked her to control her breathing.

"I am already controlling my breathing," Ari said slowly as if she was talking to a child. "If I wasn't I think I'd be dead."

"You misunderstand me child. I wish for you to meditate, you will be taking a journey inside you own consciousness, you need to release your magic and become the elemental you were born to be." Linde said looking at the girl who was still giving him the you're-so-stupid look.

"Meditate, breathe, it's all the same at the end of the day." Ari replied. "I don't even know how to enter my consciousness."

"I will be here to guide you. First however I must explain that when mastering the elements, you need to be aware of the fact that all the elements have their own aspects and qualities, which make the difference between them more distinguished." Linde said and he motioned for Ari to join him where he sat on the grass. "Now I need you to regulate your breathing, follow my actions and allow me access into your mind."

Ari watched as he drew his feet together so that the soles were touching, his fingers touched at the tips and he place them in front of his stomach with his wrists upwards. Finally he bent his head slightly, closed his eyes and began to breathe slowly and deeply. Ari stared in awe as the air around him shifted with each breath he took; she mimicked his movement feeling excitement brewing within her and finally she began to slow her breathing taking deep relaxing breathes.

Breathe in and breathe out.

Ari felt her body relax, she felt weightless as if she had somehow transformed into a cloud. It was surreal, just floating along oblivious to her surroundings she wondered if she could stay like this forever. A small wind interrupted her thoughts and an image of Linde popped into her head, the wind wrapped around her and seemed to tug her forwards.

Breathe in and breathe out.

Ari frowned when the wind tugged her down to the ground, she wanted to stay up in the air where she was free. The wind disappeared with a soft weave through her hair when she touched down on the ground and suddenly Ari felt normal again, she swayed slightly trying to centre herself. Shaking her head she looked up, there where she had been floating was millions of tiny white lights. Ari instantly knew they were souls being taken to the afterlife and if Linde hadn't been there to guide her she would have gone with them.

Breathe in and breathe out.

"I have waited a long time to meet you my child." The feminine voice startled Ari as she spun around to greet the woman who spoke. No. This was no woman in front of Ari. She wore a long white dress that flowed around her in the breeze, she had gold bracelets and wore nothing on her feet. Her hair was pinned up on her head with beads and gems that glittered, a tiara of what Ari could only describe as magic fit perfectly nestled into her hair. Ari almost bowed but the gentle smile and warm eyes that the figure held seemed to tell her not to. This being resonated with magic inside and out. Pure, untainted magic like that you find in a newborn babe. Ari's mind suddenly brought up an image of her primary school days where her teacher taught them about the Greek Gods and Goddesses. Her mind focused on one Goddess in particular. Hecate. The Goddess associated with many things but the one Ari always remembered was that Hecate was associated with magic. Ari remembered when her teacher told the class about Hecate, and how Dudley had declared there was no such thing as magic. Ari had become fascinated with the Goddess and learned all there was to know about her.

"You...You're her aren't you?" Ari whispered in awe. "You're Hecate."

"Yes my child I am."

"This is amazing. Hermione is going to be so jealous." Ari with a grin that turned into a frown immediately after. "Ah crap, Hermione's wedding. I've probably missed it. Damn it she is going to kill me."

"No, the wedding isn't for a few months. Hermione pushed back the date so you could attend." Hecate said softly. She made a motion with her hand and two chairs appeared, she sat in one and motioned for Ari to take the other. "If you are wondering how she knew to push back the date I would call it a witch's intuition."

"Thank you." Ari said softly. "I don't mean to be rude but why are you here?"

"As you already know, I am the Goddess of magic. It is my duty to help you just as it was your duty to defeat the one who abused the gift of magic. I am here to free your magic so you can master the basic principles that create magic." Hecate uttered looking sharply at Ari.

"So how do I do that?" Ari asked.

"It's simple really. All you need to do is walk through the archway at the end of the clearing. First however you need to know about the elements of magick." Hecate answered.

"I already know about them, they are Air, Earth, Water and Fire." Air said impatiently.

"Young people these days. They always want to be moving about, never taking the time to just sit and listen." Hecate sighed before continuing. "As I was saying the elements of magick are also known as the four creative energies of the universe. Each of these creative elements are necessary for human life, they each have both positive and negative aspects. The Earth without Water to moisten it, without Fire to warm it, and without Air to surround it, would be a lifeless planet. The elements work in harmony, even though at times their contrary aspects may seem in conflict with each other, to create and to sustain life. The elements exist in a physical form, such as a handful of soil, and in an un-manifested, non-physical form or energy. All the elements emerge from Akasha, the source of all energy. Are you with me so far?"

"I think so. All the elements depend on each other and if one was missing the chain would be broken and our existence would cease even though some are incompatible like Fire and Water. I have a question though, what's Akasha?" Ari asked.

"You summed it up nicely Ari, I am glad you listened so attentively. Akasha or Spirit is the fifth element, the binding part that runs through all matter, and it is also the collective unconscious of life-forms. The word itself means 'inner space'. The Elements emerge from Akasha, the immutable, changeless source of all energy. This is the realm of potentiality: of promise, of paths not yet taken, of unformed galaxies, of outer space. Akasha is also present within our bodies. Some say that the spark of life, that unknowable force that is called the "soul," is a bit of Akashic energy housed in the physical body. Witches and wizards however have a higher dose of Akasha and thus are able to control it through the use of wands. Akasha is sometimes thought to be symbolically present on the Earth. More often it's seen as the Mother of the elements. Primarily, Akasha is possibility. Its energy, which extends everywhere throughout the universe, has not yet achieved form and substance. It's the primal source of energy that creates and fuels the elements. Because of this, it contains complete, balanced energy: Earth and Air and Fire and Water."

"Okay so let me get this straight. Akasha is the original form of all the elements combined. Every Human being has some form of Akasha in them but it's so diluted that we don't recognise the power apart from witches and wizards. Who are only able to use it through wands as they are made from wood and wood is a natural earth element. I'm guessing that spells work differently to the elements, as not only have we forgotten how to manifest the elements properly, but because we are using Akasha which is a combination of all the elements. Akasha doesn't have a corporeal form because it's made up of that which we can't see or is beyond our comprehension."

"You are correct on all accounts. What a bright young thing you are, it's no wonder why you were chosen."

"I was chosen because Fate likes to laugh in my face." Ari muttered sourly.

"Fate likes you dear; that is why she is always meddling in your life. I would ask her to tone it down a little but I must confess to finding it rather amusing myself." Hecate said laughing slightly.

"Oh sure, I feel like my life is a reality TV show for all you higher beings to make fun of." Ari said pouting.

"Come now, we are getting off track and you still have so much to do today. Like I told you earlier, all you have to do now is walk through the archway; there you will meet the Goddess of Air. The Goddess will then explain to you about her element and then you will be granted permission to train yourself to master Air." Hecate said standing and motioning over to the other side of clearing where an archway stood. Ari wondered what stone it was made from as it seemed to shimmer and reflect the light off its clear surface. Ari turned to ask Hecate but found she had disappeared.

Breathe in and breathe out.

The wind seemed to be beckoning her to enter the archway and Ari wondered briefly if this was a good idea after all. The wind tugged more harshly and Ari moved nervously forwards. She approached the archway with caution, her hand touching the stone which seemed to vibrate with power. The stone lit up under her touch and didn't seem to convey any negative feelings so Ari entered the archway confidently, not once looking back.

"The archway was made from mica, a transparent stone that corresponds with the element of air." The voice sounded like the air itself, a gentle soothing voice. "I am Aradia the Goddess of Air."

Ari smiled at the being in front of her, it seemed that she would be surrounded by beauty personified with these Goddesses. Aradia was dressed like Hecate but her dress shimmered a silvery grey when she moved.

"It's a pleasure to meet you." Ari said.

"Come, let us discuss my element for that is why you are here and time is of the essence." Aradia said.

"What do you mean time is of the essence? Hecate said something similar." Ari asked.

"Well in your time or should I say feudal Japan, Naraku has almost completed the Shikon no Tama. He seeks to destroy the young miko and her friends and whilst your body and lover are safe they are not. They will be needing your help, the faster you master the elements, the faster you can help them." Aradia grinned when she spotted the blush on Ari's face.

"Sesshoumaru isn't my lover." Ari declared.

"No not yet but he will be soon if the dreams you share together are anything to go by." Aradia said clearly enjoying teasing the girl.

"You people can see my dreams too! Is nothing in my life private?"

"Not to the Gods and Goddesses dear." Aradia grinned before pulling Ari into the middle of the room where a rune lay carved into the ground. "This rune is the symbol of Air, you need to remember it. The element of Air is vital to human survival, without it we would all perish, its aspects are Thinness, Motion and Darkness and its quality is Active. Air is the manifestation of movement, freshness, communication and of the intelligence. Sound is another manifestation of this element. As an element, it is invisible, but its reality can be felt in the air that we breathe in every day.

"In magical terms, Air is also the power of the mind, the force of intellect, inspiration, imagination. It is ideas, knowledge, dreams and wishes. Air is the element of new life and new possibilities and is essential to spells and rituals of travel, instruction, finding lost items, some types of divination, and freedom. Air aids us in visualization, a vital technique in magic. Air is a masculine element and governs the magick of the four winds. It is the vital spirit passing through all things, giving life to all things, moving and filling all things."

"So, Air has fewer limitations than the other elements because it has the freedom to pass through all things. It symbolises new beginnings and allows us to see things with a clear perspective. As well as Air I will be able to control sound too. That's pretty cool." Ari nodded thoughtfully.

"I have allowed you access into my area and thus you have been granted permission to use my element as you see fit I only ask that you do not abuse the power I have given you. It is time for you to be returned to Linde." Aradia said waving good bye to Ari who felt a gust of wind surround her as she was lifted away.

Breathe in and out.

Ari opened her eyes to see Linde face right in front of her own and with a shriek she was quick to put some distance between them. "What the hell?" She asked.

"I am sorry, I was merely checking to see whether you were still alive. You've been out of it all day, but now that you're back in the land of Avalon I suppose your training will have to wait until tomorrow. What happened to you?" Linde asked.

"Oh well I met Hecate and Aradia. They told me all about the magick elements in relation to Akasha and about Air as an element." Ari said shrugging as she stretched her muscles.

OoO

It had been about five months since Ari had first accessed the ability to master Air and she had done nothing but train ever since. Her morning would be filled with mastering Air with Linde and her afternoon would be spent mastering Excalibur with Arthur. Today would be her real challenge though, for today was the day she would fight against Linde to see if she had truly mastered Air.

"Are you ready?" Ambar asked and upon receiving two nods he added. "This fight will end when the opponent on either side gives up or is unable to battle. Begin."

Ari jumped away from Linde and stared at him across the field. It seemed he expected her to make the first move. Ari frowned looking for the best way to attack; it was hard to get the best of Linde as he could sense the changes in the air around him. She raised her hand and thrust it outwards sending a powerful gust of wind towards Linde and ran towards him unsheathing her sword. As expected he simply cast aside the wind and conjured a sword made out of powerful wind to block Excalibur. The blades clashed heatedly and Ari channelled her own wind into Excalibur but was flung back by Linde's sudden attack. She hit the ground hard and lay there for a while thinking up a new strategy.

Ari jumped up and manipulated the air around her so she could levitate into the sky. She began to turn in a circle repeatedly; wind began to gather around her creating a tornado. The tornado got bigger and stretched out further into the sky completely covering Ari as she began to move the tornado towards Linde picking up speed the closer they got. She watched as Linde prepared to make the meet the tornado with his own powerful wind. She got as close as she dared to Linde and before he could attack she quickly shrunk the tornado and fuelled it into Excalibur which she motioned towards Linde.

Linde was unprepared for what happened when his blade collided with Excalibur. He was taken by surprise when the tornado expanded out of the tip of the blade and slammed into him full force, lifting him up into the air and slamming him hard onto the ground. Linde barely had any time to summon some air to him to cushion his fall; even then he was still aching and sore. It seemed with the power his pupil was showing he had no chance. So the pupil has become the master. Linde smiled.

OoO

A few days later found Ari in a greenhouse staring at Ambar as he asked her to meditate like Linde had done, only this time she was surrounded by flowers. She had her eyes closed in concentration as she breathed in the scents of the flowers and suddenly found herself in a forest. The trees were tall and seemed to form a walkway of intertwined branches above her, flowers sprung up around her leaving a trail for her to walk through. Ari walked along the path feeling more confident the second time around, she almost grinned when she spotted the archway at the end. This time it was made out of emeralds which shone brighter as she approached. Ari took a moment to admire the archway before going through.

When she arrived at the other side she was greeted by a little girl and boy who motioned for her to bend down. When Ari did as asked the little girl grinned and pulled a crown of flowers from behind her back and placed them on Ari's head. Ari smiled, this girl reminded her of Rin and her love for flowers.

"Rin is a special child is she not." The sudden voice made Ari jump in surprise. "She is closer to me than anyone alive has been in a long while, aside from you of course."

"Rin is such a sweet kid." Ari said as she turned to face the one who spoke. This Goddess was wearing a dress similar to the others but this dress flared out behind the woman and was a pure emerald green. The Goddesses hair was down in a side braid with flowers intertwined with the hair, the tiara upon her head was made of twigs that had been drawn together to create an intricate twisting pattern.

"I am Gaia, Goddess of Earth and these little ones are my children. They were left forgotten to die alone so I took them into my care and give them the love they need."

"That's very kind of you." Ari acknowledged. Gaia allowed the children to pull them to the centre of the little meadow they were in and Ari was once again shown a rune.

"This, as I am sure you are aware, is the rune for Earth. Remember it for it may come in handy. The basis and foundation of all the elements is the Earth. The Earth is the object, subject and receptacle of all celestial rays and influences and in it are the seeds of all things. It is made fruitful by the other elements and the heavens, and brings forth all things of itself. It is the first fountain from whence all things spring; it is the centre, foundation and mother of all things. Earth is the element of stability, foundations and of the body. The Earth is the realm of wisdom, knowledge, strength, growth and prosperity. It is also the physical Earth on which you live and the very heart of life. Earth is a feminine element and governs stone and knot magic.

"The Earth can be viewed as the mother, with its fertile and nurturing farmland, providing all Earth's creatures with nourishment and shelter. The Earth takes on qualities of the other elements, whether it is the dry, dusty and hot aspects of Fire and Air, as is found in deserts. Or the moist and fluid aspects of Water, in swamps, marshlands and fens. In its physical manifestations, such as stones, rocks, crystals and gems, the element of Earth represents the densest of the elements. The Earth is the womb from which all things spring, pressing your hand against fresh soil, you can feel its vitality, stability and earthiness. In its fertile soil, you've grown the food that provides life, on its surface you live out your lives, and when the time to return to the Goddess and God comes, you are interred in the earth. You couldn't exist in this form without the Earth. But the planet is simply a manifestation of this element on the physical plane, each of the elements exist in the astral planes as pure energy. This Earth energy not only exists within the human race but also throughout the universe at large."

"Right so from what I can understand of that. Earth is the central part to the other elements as it brings them all together in one place. Earth is the foundation elements which is necessary for survival and represents stability." Ari summed up with a decisive nod.

"Yes it is exactly like that." Gaia said pleased at Ari's level of understanding. "Well now that you know about my element and what it means in relation to the others it is time to send you on your way. As the personification of all things Earth I grant you permission to use my element in any way you see fit, try not to abuse the power you are given."

OoO

Ari had trained hard with Earth upon her return as well as continue her training with Arthur in sword fighting. It had been harder to master Earth but finally Ambar had told her she was ready to fight him on a serious battle field. Ari was excited she all but ran to the field where she had faced Linde, Silmeranna and Anarya bounded by her side as equally excited.

"You face each other today on a level playing field, the same rules apply. You will fight until one gives up or is unable to battle. Ari you are only allowed to use Earth, no Air." Linque said as he stood at the edge playing referee. He gave Ari a wink as he uttered. "Begin!"

Ari was given no warning as a tree root suddenly shot out of the ground knocking her back harshly. She groaned both in pain and agitation as she stood up and attacked back just as fiercely thrusting her arm out. A piece of the ground shot out of the ground and towards Ambar who barely dodged the attack. Ari drew Excalibur and using Earth she manipulated it into the blade which grew longer and thinner looking like a vine, thorns appeared along the vine that were harder than any steel made. She watched as Ambar made a circular motion with his right hand and thrust his left arm out, Ari's eyes widened. She knew that move! She knew it very well. She threw herself to the right and slashed out with the transformed Excalibur. A hardened piece of raw crystal shot out at Ari and was barely deflected by the whip like Excalibur. Ari watched in dismay as a piece of the vine covering the blade fell into the ground.

Ari almost grinned when an idea popped into her head but quickly masked it by allowing her frustration to leap forwards. Without anyone noticing the piece of vine that had broken off slipped into the ground it rested on. Ari struck out with her vine blade which extended towards Ambar and a lightning fast pace, she watched as he dodged with expert ease. Growling as she herself was struck with the crystal Ambar had created, blood poured from the gash in her arm but Ari was still determined to win. She ran forwards zigzagging as Ambar tried to catch her with his crystal. Along the way she transformed Excalibur yet again, this time though the blade shimmered as it reflected the sunlight. The blade had become hardened raw diamond. Ambar was quick to make his own sword as Ari bore down on him swishing Excalibur forwards, the blades met with a loud clash.

Ari grinned at Ambar as she flicked her left hand slightly and up from the ground shot four thick vines filled with thorns that wrapped around Ambar's body. She watched as Ambar's eyes widened and as he nodded accepting that Ari had gotten the better of him. He acknowledged his defeat aloud and Linque immediately rushed over to gather Ari in his arms and twirl her around congratulating her. Linde, Ambar and Narwa all congratulated her in a less dramatic way.

A/N: So there we have it another chapter done and Ari has mastered Air and Earth. Did you you like the fight scene? I didn't.

I expect she will be back with Sesshoumaru soon. Poor Sesshoumaru having to wait so long.

Well goodbye and goodnight. Please review and tell me what you think.