A/N: I know I said I wouldn't update for a while but I was inspired this weekend and so I give you the next chapter earlier than expected. Oh I started a new story as well, it's also a Harry Potter crossover but this time it with Naruto world. Go check it out, it's called Winter Wish. Shameless plugging for my own story I know but what can you do?

Disclaimer: I own nothing except the little money in my bank account.

Beta: Acolyte of the Blood Moon.

Sesshoumaru was getting increasingly frustrated as the hours passed; he had been staring at the lifeless body of his mate-to-be for weeks. The only time he had seen her since was the shared dream they had had together, he had yet to connect with Ari in his dreams again. He wondered how much longer it would be until she was returned to him. He missed her. He missed her snarky comments. He missed watching her play with Rin. Most of all he missed that smile she only gave when she was feeling exceptionally happy. Sesshoumaru grasped Ari's hand again and placed a tender kiss on it, oblivious to the watching parents.

"Do you see how much he loves her James?" Lily said with awe in her voice.

"I see how much he wants to steal her away." James muttered sourly.

"Hush James, he can't steal her from you. We're dead remember?" Lily said, amused.

"That's just a technicality." James said, waving his hand as if to disregard the fact that they were dead. "Ari is still my little girl. My princess."

"She isn't so little anymore." Lily argued. "She is a woman now. A woman in love."

"Love is a fickle thing; she will grow out of it I'm sure." James responded.

"Honey, you gave Ari your blessing for their relationship. Now go over there and get to know out future son-in-law." Lily demanded.

"Why can't you do it?" James whined.

"James." Lily said slowly and smiled when James was quick to make his way over to Sesshoumaru. Lily was happy that Ari had found someone that would be so devoted to her. She found it adorable that Sesshoumaru had yet to leave her side, it reminded her of when she got ill and James had refused to leave the room. Lily knew within her heart that her daughter was going to be very happy with Sesshoumaru. That's not to say Lily wouldn't come back to living realm and haunt his ass if he ever hurt her. Both males in the room shuddered at the evil smile that spread on the red heads face.

"So, you and Ari huh?" James started. "Look, I don't like you. Ari is my little girl and I don't like the fact that she has all these guys chasing after her. However you are the one most suitable for her and you have looked after her well enough, you even went so far as to come here to be with her. For that you begrudgingly have my respect. Just know that if you hurt Ari, her mother will see to it that you never know peace again."

"This one would sooner harm myself then harm Ari." Sesshoumaru said. Though it was true that he would never harm Ari, that didn't mean he wasn't a little afraid Lily. Not that he would ever admit that out loud, but his little mate's mother had a very scary side, one he would never like to see.

"Good. Now Lily has made it clear that I am to get to know you considering you will soon be family." James said rubbing his neck awkwardly. Sesshoumaru smirked; it seemed he was not the only one to feel a little afraid of the red head.

OoO

"I can't walk on water Linque." Ari said as she watched Linque standing on the water. Linque had wanted to start her meditation by sitting on top of the water and Ari had adamantly refused to do so.

"Oh you are such a spoil sport." Linque muttered as he walked back over to the water's edge and sat down. Ari happily joined him, she was glad she wouldn't have to get wet. She closed her eyes and began to relax as she listened to the water slowly moving in the breeze.

When she opened her eyes again she was beside a waterfall, her eyes immediately searching for the archway that would provide her entry to the water Goddess. She frowned when she spotted it was at the bottom of the waterfall made out of glittering aquamarine stones. It looks like she was getting wet after all. She dove into the lake and swam towards the archway. Ari was quick to realise that though she was swimming in water, she wasn't getting wet.

She stopped when she reached the archway, treading water. She admired the beauty of the archway; it seemed to flow in a constant movement that never faltered. She slowly swam through. Ari appeared in a cave that had veins of aquamarine appearing through the rock. She pulled herself up onto the surface and was met with a smiling woman who wore a blue dress similar to the others she had seen. This woman was blonde where the other had been brunette and she had sea blue eyes to match her element.

"It's a pleasure to meet you child, I am Arnemetia the Goddess of Water. It is a sad tale of how I became Water's Goddess. I was waiting for my lover in a cave much like this one, we were to elope together." A sad smile appeared on her features as she guided Ari to sit on the mat with her. "I was peasant girl and he was a handsome English Lord. I fell for his sweet words and beautiful smile. I gave him all of me, my heart, my body, my soul. Yet here I waited and waited until he came. I was set-up, he was to be wed to this rich man's daughter and they both came here to kill me. I was so happy when he walked down here that soft caring smile on his face, my happiness soon changed to anger when he brought that girl out from behind him and kissed her. He told me that he could never elope with a poor girl no matter how pretty she was or how good she was between the sheets. He pushed me into the water and held me under until I drowned. When I woke up he was gone and I was the Goddess of Water."

"That's terrible, I am so sorry. Men can be such jerks." Ari said heatedly. "Did you see the guy again?"

"I wanted my revenge so I sought him out a few years later. When I found him he had married the girl he betrayed me with and I was ready to kill him. I was interrupted by a young girl, his daughter, she saw him on his knees choking and screamed out 'daddy' and I stopped. He may have deserved to die but I couldn't kill him knowing that he had a child that loved him." Arnemetia sighed sadly and Ari reached out and hugged the poor Goddess who was just a broken hearted woman.

"It's alright." Ari whispered knowing full well that it wasn't.

"Let me tell you about Water, that is why you are here after all." Arnemetia began smiling serenely at the young woman in front of her. "Water, is a great necessity, without it nothing can live. Only Earth and Water can bring forth a living soul. Such is the greatness of Water that spiritual regeneration cannot be done without it. Water is the beginning of all things and the first of all elements and most potent because of its mastery over the rest. Water swallows up the earth, extinguishes the flame, ascends on high, and by stretching forth as clouds challenges the heavens for their own, and the same falling down, becomes the cause of all things that grow in the earth.

"Water is a cleansing, healing, psychic, and loving element. It is the feeling of friendship and love that pours over us when we are with our family, friends and loved ones. When we swim it is water that supports us, when we are thirsty, it is water the quenches our thirst, another manifestation of this element is the rainstorms that drench us, or the dew formed on plants after the sun has set. The power of the energy of Water, can be felt by tasting pure spring water, moving you hand through a stream, lake, pool, or bowl full of water. You can feel its cool liquidity; it's soft and loving touch, this motion and fluidity is the quality of Air within Water. This Water energy is also contained within ourselves, our bodies being mostly composed of Water.

"As well as being vital for life, within the energy of this element is contained the essence of love. Love is the underlying reason for all magic. Water is love. Water is a feminine element, it also the element of emotion and subconscious, of purification, intuition, mysteries of the self, compassion and family. It is psychic ability; water can be used as a means of scrying or as an object for meditation. Water is important in spells and rituals of friendship, marriage, happiness, fertility, healing, pleasure, psychic abilities and spells involving mirrors."

"Wow, I didn't know Water was that important." Ari said breathlessly, no wonder Linque was so happy with his element and why Narwa hated him so much. "Water is essential to everything. It is life and love and most important to Magick as a whole because it is the first of the elements and can overpower the others. Imagine what it can do combined with the other elements."

"You will have a chance to experiment my child. I see in you a pure heart and a wise mind; go forth with my element by your side. Trust in yourself and in others, I wish to inform you that he misses you so much and to hurry to return to his side. It not within the nature of an Inuyoukai to idly stand around doing nothing whilst the one they wish to mate is elsewhere." Arnemetia smiled at the blush she received from Ari. It was clear that she loved and missed him just as much.

OoO

Linque had been fun to train with; he was creative and remained enthusiastic throughout the training. Ari had been disappointed when he told her that she was ready to face him like she had Linde and Ambar. Ari pouted as she walked out to the lake, Silmeranna and Anarya were chasing each other up ahead.

"You know the rules, if you don't by now you're even more of an idiot than I already thought you were." Narwa said taking his place as a reluctant referee. Ari nodded to him as she fought the urge to punch him. "Begin!"

Ari focussed her attention to the lake and drew out a large ball of water, allowing her to move it so it hovered in front of her she began her attack. Large water missiles shot out from the ball heading towards Linque who back flipped to dodge them, and sent out ice crystals towards Ari. The ball in front of Ari changed shape and hardened into ice to form a protective shield around her. Ari let go of the shield and ran along the water's edge her hand flung out behind her causing a spray of water to shoot towards Linque who once again dodged.

Ari found herself in the middle of the lake, watching as Linque moved to join her. Ari's hands began to move fast in a flurry of movement making the water rise around her until it gathered above her. The water began to harden to form sharp ice crystals, Ari grinned as she made the temperature drop using the moisture in the air. The ice cloud shot of into smaller pieces and began to rotate slowly picking up speed; they shot towards Linque who desperately tried to defend himself.

"You can't pull up water from the lake; the moisture in the air is denser so the lake water can't move through it." Ari said giddy with her imminent victory. She was confused when Linque smiled and pulled out a short sword made of ice. Her confusion quickly turned to shock as he managed to deflect every single ice shard with his short sword.

"Come now Ari you know me better then that surely." Linque smirked.

Ari unsheathed Excalibur and water from the lake was absorbed into the blade making it longer and thinner with a sharper point on the end. The blade glimmered as it gave off an icy sheen and Ari smiled, pleased with the ice blade. Green eyes locked onto their target and she rushed towards Linque kicking up little droplets of water in her wake. A loud clash of ice on ice sounded around the lake at the two blades met in a fierce and powerful strike. Ari glared as she concentrated, hoping that her plan would pay off.

The water from Excalibur slowly unfroze and extended out to surround Linque's short sword, Ari concentrated on getting the water under the ice surrounding it. Smiling at her small victory she heated up the water molecules by making them vibrate faster. Ari pulled back Excalibur and slashed forwards sharply making the short sword shatter, its pieces sinking into the water below them. Linque was caught off guard and Ari used that to her advantage and covered him in water which then froze under her command trapping him.

"Perhaps you aren't so stupid after all. You won." Ari heard Narwa shout from the water's edge. Relief washed through her like a tidal wave, she collapsed into the water with a pleased exclamation and allowed the cool water to wash over her. She swam back to shore at a slow pace and was greeted by very happy familiars. She only had one element left to master now and she was so not looking forward to training with Narwa.

OoO

"I didn't even know this island had a volcano." Ari grumbled as Narwa led her deeper into the volcano, she could feel the warmth coming from the rock though the volcano had long ago been inactive.

"Well is you spent less time with Linque you would know a lot more about this island." Narwa said sarcastically as they reached a balcony that overlooked the hard rock below them. "Now I'm sure you know the drill, sit down and meditate. Find your inner peace."

Ari closed her eyes and relaxed using the warmth around her to lull her to an almost sleep like state. She reluctantly opened her eyes again and found herself in a very active volcano. Lava spewed up from the fiery pit below making her shriek and stumble back. She looked around wildly for the archway and upon seeing the archway of the red jasper stone she was quick to rush through it.

Welcome to my lair," A seductive voice called out to her. "You are here to learn of my element are you not?"

Ari merely nodded in response, still a little shocked from having the lava nearly singe her hair off.

"I am Brigid, the Goddess associated with fire." A figure emerged from the back; her brilliant red hair was the first thing Ari noticed and then the green eyes, so like her own mother's. "Yes, I do look a lot like your mother; she is a lot like my fire and I as well."

"Yeah, everyone says she was a firecracker." Ari said smiling.

"I suppose she was, my flame burnt brightly in that one." Brigid said smiling as well. "Let's get on with your lesson then. The element of Fire is both creative and destructive, its aspects are Brightness, Thinness and Motion and its quality is Active. It is Fire that we and our ancestors used to warm our homes, we use it to cook our food, we sit around it to ward of the darkness of night, and it fuels our passions. Fire, unlike the other elements, does not exist in a natural state. Its physical form can only take place by consuming some other element. Fire is the transformer, converting the energy of other objects into other forms: heat, light, ash, and smoke.

"To feel the manifestations of this power, all you need to do it go out on sunny day and feel the warmth and light of the Sun, hear the crackling of logs and smell of smoke from a burning Fire. Fire is the natural element of animals and mankind, as they have, in their natures a most fiery force and also spring from celestial sources. In order to gain benefit from the energy of this element, you need to control Fire's destructive aspect. When you light a candle, you are not only calling upon the energy of Fire, you are also limiting its power. This destructive aspect should not be seen as a negative thing, for example forest fires actually help in clearing away underbrush and encouraging seeds lying dormant within the Earth to burst forth into new life.

"Fire is a masculine element, its aspects being change, passion, creativity, motivation, will power, drive and sensuality. It is sexuality, both physical and spiritual. Fire is used in spells, rituals and candle magic for healing, purification, sex, breaking bad habits or destroying illness and disease. Fire is the element of authority and leadership. The properties of Divine Fire are; heat, making things fruitful, Celestial light and giving life to all things. The properties of its opposite, the Infernal Fire, are a parching heat, consuming all things, darkness and making all things barren."

"So Fire is the most destructive element and thus harder to control." Ari concluded. "However Fire isn't a bad thing once the control of it is mastered. Fire is passion which is why it is so closely related to anger."

"Exactly, you are a quick one." Brigid said with a smile. "Don't forget about the amazing sex though."

"I didn't." Ari said harshly but turned a bright red in response making Brigid laugh.

"Oh of course you didn't, not when you a certain hot Daiyoukai just itching to jump you. Damn I bet he really knows how to please a woman. You are so lucky, what I wouldn't give to on the living realm right now." Brigid was highly amused by the squeak Ari let out as the girl drowned in her embarrassment. "I can see you share the same fiery will that your mother had. I wonder what will become of you. Go, leave this place with the knowledge I have bestowed upon you and my permission to use the Fire."

OoO

Ari stood in an empty chamber inside the volcano, Linde stood between her and Narwa. She was not looking forward to this match; she had trained with Narwa for three full months before he deemed her ready to fight him seriously. She glared at him, her hands clenching and unclenching at her side.

"You know how this works; I'm not going to explain again. Begin." Linde said as he moved away from the couple to what had been deemed the safe zone.

Ari immediately attacked throwing fireballs at Narwa who dodged them and gave her a mocking smirk. Ari dodged the fireballs that were thrown back at her in response but couldn't dodge the fire whip Narwa sent at her. It wrapped around her ankles and pulled her off her feet, she landed on the ground with a loud thud. Ari saw stars behind her eyes and felt the blood pumping harshly in her head, she was going to have one hell of a headache tomorrow. She clumsily got to her knees and placed a right hand on the ground whilst her left hand came up to her head to inspect the damage.

Blood.

She was bleeding. 'Damn Narwa to hell' Ari thought as she heard his mocking voice asking her if she was giving up all ready. No she wasn't going to give up, not when she was this close to getting back to her world. Back to Sesshoumaru. Ari felt the heat beneath her hand pulse and she smirked inside her head. She would win this and quickly. She knew with the injury to her head that she wouldn't last long. She would have to use the one technique she had been forbidden from using.

Ari lifted her right hand and slammed it back down on to the ground hard. Lava erupted from where Narwa had been standing, he had seen through her attack and moved just in time. Ari knew he would see through it and standing quickly she rushed towards him drawing out Excalibur and allowing it to trail in the lava left behind from her attack. She could feel the heat building in the blade and began to channel the electric waves in the air into the blade. The blade began to cackle and glow as electricity danced along the blade; the sounds grew louder as more electricity was gathered. Ari reached Narwa and thrust her blade forward, lightening shot out the tip and hit Narwa fully on the chest sending him flying backwards and into the wall of the chamber.

Ari saw blackness creep into the edges of her vision but she smiled anyway. She did it. She had used lightening, the hardest thing to control. She remained conscious long enough to hear Linde declare her the winner and then allowed herself to surrender to the peaceful oblivion that was calling her name.

When Ari next woke she found she was back at the house where Toga had brought her to before she began her journey to Avalon. Silmeranna was by her side and when Ari stirred he perked up and licked Ari before asking if she was okay. Ari just groaned and sat up, her head was pounding and she could desperately use a pain relieving potion. She jumped when a potion bottle was handed to her.

"Thanks." She murmured,taking the bottle and drinking it. She sighed as the effects worked immediately. "What happened to me?"

"I brought you back here after you won. You collapsed after Linde announced you as the winner. Congratulations are in order I believe. You are now the master of all the elements and have claimed your destiny as the Queen of Avalon." Toga said smiling down at the girl proudly. "My son would be immensely proud if he could have watched you fight them."

"I doubt Sesshoumaru would have let me." Ari said grinning.

"True but I have no doubt he will be proud when you tell him." Toga said, handing her Excalibur which she had dropped when she passed out. "You have done what you came here to do after all."

"You mean I can go back." Ari asked excitedly.

"Yes, all you need to do is go through the door at the end of the hallway." Toga replied and watched with amusement as the girl practically flew out the door and down the doorway her wolves charging after her.

Ari danced excitedly down the hallway, there was only one door at the end and it had her name written on it. Standing in front of it however was her parents who wore big beaming smiles on their faces.

"Oh my darling girl, you have made me so proud." Lily said embracing her child as tears streamed from her face.

"I knew you could do it, you are a Potter after all and we are a persistent bunch." James said embracing both his wife and daughter. "We would love to have you stay in the spirit realm, think of all the fun we could have."

"James!" Lily said harshly and the marauder backed away hands raised in innocence. Lily opened the door to the living realm for her daughter embraced her one last time. "Go, he is waiting for you. I think you made a good choice with him. Remember I want lots of grandkids."

"Mum." Ari whined blushing as she passed through the doorway.

"Grandkids?" James said in fake anger. "There is to be no baby making. Do you understand me Ari? No baby making."

"Goodbye." Ari called out, choosing to ignore her father. She watched sadly as the door closed and she was sent spiralling into darkness.

Her eyes fluttered open; she felt heavy and knew she was back in the living realm. She moved her head to the right and saw Sesshoumaru and warmth filled her heart at seeing him. She had missed him. Her hand tightened in his and she watched in excitement as his eyes shot open and bore into her own. She felt like drowning in gold, there was so much emotion running through his eyes. Happiness. Hope. Warmth. Guilt. Most of all Ari was happy to note that she could see one emotion that made her heart flutter. Love.

"Did ya miss me?" She asked her voice a little hoarse from lack of use. Ari didn't get a verbal reply from the Daiyoukai instead she felt his lips touch hers in a desperate kiss. 'Actions speak louder than words' Ari though before losing herself in his kiss.

"This one apologises." Sesshoumaru murmured when he broke the kiss and was pleased to see the dazed look in her eyes. "Naraku should never have gotten his hands on you."

"Don't apologise dummy, it was meant to happen. If it didn't I wouldn't have an awesome new sword or kick ass new powers." Ari said shaking her head.

"I failed you." He whispered, breaking eyes contact and looking away overcome with sudden guilt at not being able to protect her properly.

"Sesshoumaru look at me." He didn't want to look at her; he didn't want to hear her rejection. "Sesshoumaru, please."

Ari watched helplessly as her attempts to get him to look at her where shunned, tears welled up in her eyes and her bottom lip trembled. "You jackass! I go through all that stuff. I get trapped in this stupid dream world, I travel all the way to Avalon, and I get accepted by this sword. I train really hard to master the elements and become a better person and you won't even look at me. Why won't you look at me?"

Ari was full out crying as she watched Sesshoumaru's tense body slowly turn to look at her. She cried harder when he simply pulled her to him and allowed her to cry into his chest. His hand came up to entwine in her hair as he bent his head to rest on hers.

"This one should have been there with you." He uttered so quiet that Ari had to listen very closely.

"That's what bothering you?" Ari asked moving her head so she could look at him. "You could never fail me Sesshoumaru; I had to go through that alone. It was my journey to claim my destiny. I needed to do it alone. I thought about a lot of things whilst I was there."

"This one still wished he could have been there. What did you think of?" Sesshoumaru asked as he wiped her eyes with the edge of his sleeve. Although judging by the blush on her face he could guess what she had been thinking about.

"I thought about my friends and my family. But most of all, I thought about you. I missed you." Ari muttered gripping his haori tightly in her hands. "I...I love you Sesshoumaru."

The hand that was in her hair tightened slightly and pulled so that Ari was looking up at him, he bent his head so that his lips brushed briefly against hers. Sesshoumaru almost smirked when Ari tilted her head further expecting a proper kiss.

"I missed you too my little witch." Sesshoumaru gently placed a kiss on Ari's nose before moving down to once again brush his lips against hers. "This one loves you as well."

His lips claimed hers in a searing passionate kiss that left her dizzy. Ari moaned when he nipped at her bottom lip, allowing him entry into her mouth. Their tongues battled and played with each other as Sesshoumaru pulled her closer to him and sat her in his lap. He growled lightly when the hands that had previously been clenched in his haori moved. The Daiyoukai found his own hand couldn't keep still as it moved from her hair to caress her neck briefly before slipping underneath her shirt to caress her back. He felt smug at the moan that he was able to produce.

Ari felt hot as she pulled slightly on Sesshoumaru's haori to open it. Slipping her left hand inside to feel his muscular body, she grinned as he growled, her right hand moved up to wrap around his neck. She whined when he pulled away from the kiss but gasped in pleasure when he started to trail kisses down her neck. She bared her neck to him and shivered when he gave a low pleased growl. She heard Sesshoumaru groan quietly when her fingers accidently brushed across his nipple, grinning she brushed her thumb lightly over it again.

'Would you be so kind as to maybe pack it in with the public display of affection?' Silmeranna growled lightly as he stalked into the room followed by Anarya.

Ari jerked at the voice and began to blush heavily as Sesshoumaru snarled at the wolves. He pulled Ari closer to him and stared at the wolves with red tinted eyes, the only reason he wasn't attacking them was because they showed no sign of hostility and they smelled of Ari. Ari tutted and tried to move out of Sesshoumaru's grasp but found he wouldn't relent in his grasp of her.

"Silmeranna, Anarya come here." Ari made a hushing sound at Sesshoumaru's growl when the wolves approached. She bent down to pet them briefly before introducing them. "The black one is Silmeranna, his name means silver moon, the white one is Anarya, her name means sunny day. They are my familiars so be nice to them."

"This one is unfamiliar with what a familiar is." Sesshoumaru said his voice deep with previous arousal.

"Well they protect me." Sesshoumaru stiffened at that remark and Ari was quick to add. "Not in the literal sense, they give me advice and help if the need arises. Familiars have been companions to witches and wizards across the ages. Though only dire wolves like mine are familiars to those with elemental magick."

'Silmeranna and I will leave if you wish to resume your previous activities.' Anarya said amusement lacing her words.

"This one would very much appreciate it." Sesshoumaru said looking at Ari with desire filled eyes.

"Wait, can you understand her?" Ari asked perplexed.

'We are both part of the canine family Ari, he can understand me perfectly.' Anarya told Ari.

"I suppose I should tell you what happened to me right?" Ari asked looking at Sesshoumaru.

'Looks like someone isn't getting any tonight.' Silmeranna sniggered as much as a wolf could snigger.

Sesshoumaru growled at the snarky wolf but was content to listen to Ari's tale, even more so when she curled up into him. They had plenty of time to discuss what would happen in the future later, but for now both of them we just happy to have the other back again.

A/N: Naughty Silmeranna interrupting them...poor Sesshoumaru. Do you feel sorry for Sesshoumaru?

Are you happy that Sesshoumaru and Ari are back together?

Please let me know your thoughts on the chapter.