Disclaimer: Harry Potter is the property of J. K. Rowling, Bloomsbury Publishing, and Arthur A. Levine Books. Inuyasha is the property of Rumiko Takahashi, Shogakuken, and Viz Media. I am not them, and as such make no money from this venture.
While the Order of the Phoenix was debating what there was to be done about their missing saviour, the boy in question was learning how to write. He sat beside Sesshōmaru in the study, watching eagerly as the inuyōkai demonstrated each letter of the English alphabet. Shakily, he copied each down in as neat of printing as he could manage and beamed as Sesshōmaru acknowledged each successful attempt. He was determined to learn this as quickly as possible so that he could move on to the complicated symbols of his guardians' native language. Shippō had already begun to teach him to speak it and had hinted that as soon as he was somewhat proficient, they would be able to visit the castle Sesshōmaru had grown up in.
That morning he'd been up early, bouncing out of bed and hastily trading out his pyjamas for a pair of tracksuit bottoms and one of the short-sleeved shirts that Shippō had told him to set aside from his regular clothes. Walking down the hallway towards the kitchen (because running, especially within your own home, was unbecoming) he'd come up on the kitsune just as he began to make breakfast. They'd barely finished eating when Sesshōmaru appeared in the doorway and led him to one of the rooms he hadn't figured out the purpose of yet. While his stomach settled, Harry had watched wide-eyed as his lord swept through sword forms with effortless grace. When he was through with his demonstration, Sesshōmaru had called him out onto the floor and began to guide him through the stances and katas that made up the base of the formal style taught to the House of the West. They'd worked until lunchtime, when Shippō had laughingly told him he needed to clean up before he could eat. From there Harry had been ushered into the study and the writing lessons had commenced.
Now, as it was nearing dinner time, Sesshōmaru set aside their work but kept him from running off to help his kitsune friend. Settling back on his cushion, Harry peered up at the inuyōkai curiously. Gold met green seriously for a moment before one silver eyebrow raised just the tiniest amount. "We will be leaving soon. Shippō will help you pack tomorrow."
Harry stared, wide-eyed and fidgeting with excitement he couldn't quite contain. One question at a time, he reminded himself. "Where are we going?"
"I have not been to my North American holdings in some time. We will begin in Atlanta."
"Are Shippō and Hanami coming with?"
Sesshōmaru stayed silent and the eyebrow ticced a little higher. The black-haired boy hastily corrected himself. "Will Shippō and Hanami be coming with us to Atlanta?"
The lord hummed in approval and his expression smoothed. "Shippō will accompany us; Hanami has duties here. She has proven efficient in managing both halves of the shop alone, so there is no need to wait for an assistant to arrive. There are other retainers already within the United States."
Harry smiled, then paused as he thought of another question. "Will you still teach me swords like this morning?"
"Each of my residences is equipped with a dojo," Sesshōmaru acknowledged. "As well as a study," he added dryly.
The boy blushed and grinned. Learning to write was fun, but he couldn't wait to get past it and on to something more interesting. It was mostly his penmanship that needed work anyway, and that was something only practice would improve. Before he could come up with anything else to ask, the lord's head tilted and his eyes drifted out of focus as his attention shifted elsewhere on the premises. He gestured minutely with elegant fingers and Harry shot out of the room to find Shippō as he'd been taught, a wash of yōki following in his wake.
ooo
When Sesshōmaru found them later, they were curled together in Harry's bed, a picture book between them as his ward read his own bedtime story to the kitsune instead of the other way around. When he noticed the inuyōkai standing in the doorway, he set the book down and would have gotten up if it weren't for Shippō's restraining hand.
"Is everything okay?" Harry questioned eagerly, already full of faith that nothing could harm the lord if he did not wish it to.
"It was a message from Oria. We will discuss it tomorrow. For now, rest."
Dark hair shook as Harry nodded rapidly. Shippō laughed as he was practically pushed from the bed so the boy could pull up the covers and close his eyes as though feigning sleep would bring it faster. With a last few whispered words for the child, the kitsune followed him back down to his study for what had become a nightly ritual. Arranging himself with a lack of formality that would shock most of those who knew him, Sesshōmaru waited until they had each taken a drink before speaking.
"A greenfinch," he rumbled softly. "Unaware of proper procedures for requesting an audience."
Shippō nodded in understanding. "They'll get it straightened out when he gets back." He paused, saucer halfway to his mouth. "You did let him go, right?"
The inuyōkai gave a flash of sharp teeth in answer. "There was a letter in with the father's will, to be delivered to the child's guardians if they were not his appointed godparents."
"Huh. Something they were worried about, then," the kitsune noted.
There was a miniscule shift of silver hair and an envelope appeared on the table, the wax seal broken. Shippō picked it up and slipped the letter out from within. "Where are Harry's godparents, then?" he asked as he skimmed the short note.
There was a low rumble of discontent as Sesshōmaru refilled their drinks. "The woman and her husband were tortured but left alive. The man has been imprisoned without trial."
Shippō bared his fangs in disgust and tossed the parchment down. "You're not giving him back, are you?"
"No." The lord's nails clacked once across the table. "We may be able to use the man, however. His presumed knowledge of human magics would mean we would not have to find another instructor each time we relocated."
"I suppose," the redhead agreed reluctantly. "But what do we know about him really?"
"He is not recorded as having offspring and, though he is officially the head of his family, his current situation does not allow him to fulfill those duties," Sesshōmaru relayed what the finch had explained through his fear of the predator. "He should be amenable to not only teaching my ward-" Shippō hid his smile at the possessive with his sake "-but to giving most of his other obligations over to more efficient management in exchange for freedom and purpose."
"Requesting an investigation and trial will take time," the kitsune pointed out, wrinkling his nose at the reminder of politics. "We're not sticking around to wait, are we?"
"We leave on schedule. I will retrieve him tonight and assess his suitability at the Suite tomorrow afternoon. If he is not open to an alliance, he will be hidden until his trial has been arranged. If he agrees, transporting one more will be little issue and any personal effects he requires can be accessed just as easily from Atlanta as here."
Shippō's eyebrows rose high. "How're you going to keep the prison guards in the dark?"
Golden eyes sparked with mischief and the kitsune found himself having to bite down on his knuckles to keep from waking Harry with his laughing as Sesshōmaru outlined his plan. The inuyōkai was a ruthless tactician, but that didn't mean he couldn't have fun when the oppourtunity presented itself.
ooo
Sirius Black whined softly and tucked his cold nose further under his matted tail as another dementor swept down the hallway outside his cell. His animagus form may keep him mostly hidden from the robed guards' senses, but it couldn't completely protect him against their effects. Thankfully, his faint whimper was drowned out by the moans and screams of the others in the cellblock and the chill faded somewhat as the abomination floated away in search of less downtrodden prey. Sirius attempted to grab more of whatever fitful sleep would come to him.
"Well, this certainly makes things easier."
The smooth voice startled him so badly, being unused to contact outside the harsh jeers and taunts of the wizard guards at feeding time, that he was on all fours, teeth bared and hackles raised before he even registered that the comment had come from inside his cell. Looking up without easing the line of his back, Sirius wondered if being able to see in colour would make any difference with the strangers standing beneath the tiny window. Behind the tall man with short dark hair and chips of ice for eyes was another body, a pale shadow with no features at all. Or clothing, he curled his lip in a passable grimace.
"This Sesshōmaru is not here to hurt you," the man in front spoke again and this time, being able to see his face, Sirius realised he hadn't been using English at all.
"What do you want, then?" he barked back warily, careful to keep as quiet as possible. "And how did you get in here?"
"Shift."
The command was the only answer provided so, after a long moment in which he he cocked his head and listened for any of the signs of a dementor returning, Sirius did as he was told. Matted, stringy hair fell into a gaunt face and he pushed it back with a filthy, shaking hand. "Can't speak dog like this," he muttered, "so I hope you can talk normally or I won't understand a thing you're saying."
"We will not be speaking much here," the stranger - Sesshōmaru - replied in cultured tones.
If anything, his voice was smoother now, rich and deep and Sirius stuffed down a childish jealousy over his own rusty, unused vocal cords. Before he could ask what the guy meant, the other body stepped forward mechanically. Sirius cringed back automatically, curling his hands with their ragged nails into claws and prepared to fight. A harsh exhale pulled his attention back to Sesshōmaru and the featureless parody of a man stopped just out of arm's reach.
"We are leaving. It will take your place."
"You're busting me out?" Sirius questioned incredulously; no one escaped from Azkaban, after all.
Sesshōmaru gave a bare inclination of his head and a small knife was held out, hilt-first. "Give it some of your blood and none will be the wiser. We will discuss other particulars elsewhere."
He hesitated only a moment before inching around the creepy not-male to take the blade. A weapon was a weapon and a way out was a way out. He'd worry about whether he was free or not later. "What is this thing anyway?" he asked, cutting open his hand and letting blood pool in his cupped palm.
"A simulacrum."
Sirius held out his handful of blood and a mouth split open on the flat face. The creepy thing bent forwards, grasping the prisoner's wrist and proceeding to drink straight from his dirty hands. Sesshōmaru snapped a command in some language the wizard didn't know when it tried to suckle more directly from the source even as the edges of the wound swiftly knit back together. The simulacrum pulled back and Sirius watched in undisguised fascination as it grew to reach the same height as him and his features began to appear on the empty body. When the last of his hair had grown out, the tallest of the three in the crowded cell pulled a wrapped bundle from his sleeve and held it out.
"Change swiftly; we must leave."
Tugging the package open to reveal a plain but serviceable robe, the animagus hastily stripped his dirt-stained prison greys and tossed them at his double. When both Siriuses were dressed, Sesshōmaru gave another command and the simulacrum curled itself into the corner furthest from the door with an affected tremble in its limbs. The wizard barely had time to turn back towards his rescuer when a whisper of power curled around him and the world went white.
ooo
Sesshōmaru released the human as soon as they landed in the guest room of the Suite, watching dispassionately as the man stumbled. Already turning away, he gestured towards a side door and spoke over his shoulder. "The facilities are through there; the wardrobe has more suitable clothing. Leave that on the floor and someone will collect it later. When you are clean and dressed, simply open this door and someone will show you to the study. We have much to discuss."
An hour later, the maid showed a well-scrubbed and much better smelling Sirius in and retreated. The lord gestured for him to sit and he did so warily, eying the understated opulence with a guarded expression. Hard grey eyes snapped to him when he spoke, however, and the inuyōkai suppressed a smirk.
"Before we begin, are you guilty of the crimes you were imprisoned for?"
"No," the wizard ground out, tightening his hands on the arms of his chair until his knuckles were white.
Sesshōmaru cocked his head slightly. "Very well."
He made a notation on one of the papers scattered across his desk. Setting it aside, he back to the other man. Before he could speak again, Sirius shook his head in disbelief. "Wait, really? I just say no and you believe me?"
Hazel eyes narrowed, flashing gold in the soft light. "Were you lying?"
"No! I just... can't believe you'd just accept it outright. No questions asked."
"Any questions I have do not involve a crime you did not commit. When the true perpetrator is captured, I will ask them."
The way he emphasised 'ask' sent shivers down Sirius' spine. Letting out the tension in his body on a sigh, he offered, "Peter Pettigrew."
Black eyebrows rose in mute inquiry, even as the inuyōkai made note of the name.
"It's a long story, but he sold out our friends to the Dark Lord and got them killed. I went after him, revenge, but when I caught up with him he yelled that I had done it in front of witnesses and blew the street up. He shifted - he's a rat animagus - after severing one of his fingers and escaped. I couldn't help it, I laughed; I was hysterical with grief. By the time authorities had caught up to us, anyone who was still alive swore blue that I'd blown the bastard away after he'd told everyone that I killed James and Lily. 'Course, since most of them were muggles, they got Obliviated as soon as they'd said more than two words, so..." Sirius trailed off, grimacing.
The scratch of pen on parchment halted, and Sesshōmaru refocused his attention on the dejected figure slumped in one of his study chairs. Perhaps he would not have to use the unmother after all. "The circumstances surrounding your arrest and the crimes you have been charged with can be discussed later. There is one issue that must be covered tonight."
The former prisoner made a 'go on' motion, looking drained but determined. Sesshōmaru folded his hands neatly, quietly amused at the coming reveal. "I have recently come into possession of something that was intended to be yours."
Sirius' brow furrowed. "They auctioned off the estate rather than give it to Cissy? What was so important that you'd risk pulling me out of Azkaban for it?"
"The status of your House is unchanged, Lord Black," Sesshōmaru assured, outwardly ignoring the start the man gave at his title being used. "No, I am speaking of my ward, one Harry James Potter."
The wizard sucked in a breath and stood, checking his first, automatic step towards the desk. Agitated, he began to pace and the lord watched him with impassive hazel eyes. "He was supposed to be safe! I was... Hagrid was just going to hold him for a moment while I went after the rat. I was coming back for him, I swear, but where did he go when I didn't? Couldn't," he amended, running a hand through his hair.
"His aunt," Sesshōmaru cut in darkly.
"Petunia? But she hates magic! Hated Lily! She wouldn't know what to do with him if she her great bloody oaf of a husband-"
"I am aware of their faults. All you need know is that he is now under my protection. I will not allow him to come to harm."
"Who are you, even, and what do you want with my godson?" Sirius turned on him finally, face set in hard lines and posture loose, prepared to fight.
Sesshōmaru stood, his glamour falling away to leave the markings of his heritage bright against pale skin and shining hair, his eyes glowing unearthly gold. His yōki spilled out, blanketing the room with his power as he bared his fangs. "I am the Inu no Taishō. I command the House of the West and I would see my ward live."
He was pleased to see the human did not cower under the weight of his presence. The man's head bowed only slightly, turned to expose the pale line of his throat in unconscious submission even as he met the lord's burning gaze challengingly. The stalemate stretched on until finally Sirius sighed and slumped back in his chair. Sesshōmaru waited a moment longer before recalling his yōki and sitting as well.
"You're not a wizard," the former prisoner stated.
"No."
"Why did you break me out of Azkaban?"
"My ward requires instruction in human magics."
Sirius scoffed. "Like you couldn't find a hundred people willing to do anything for the Boy-Who-Lived. I mean, really, I'm grateful to be out of that shithole, but why do you want a convict that half the world is convinced only wants to murder him?"
Sesshōmaru's voice was cold. "Do you?"
"No! No, of course not. Just," he scrubbed a tired hand over his face, "why would you pick a broken man like me?"
Golden eyes stared hard at him, observing the whole of his slumped posture, malnourished frame, and faint, intermittent tremor. "You are not as broken as you believe. You also already possess an attachment to my ward and a concern for his wellbeing. That you command a skill he has expressed wish to learn is a bonus. Your secondary nature is neither offensive nor contradictory to my own."
"My what?" Sirius looked confused for a second. "Oh, my doggy side? Most people wouldn't agree; a grim is a death omen according to the wizards."
One silver brow raised. "A dog is never merely a dog, Lord Black."
The ex-prisoner paused. He felt like there was some significance in that phrase but it escaped him at the moment. "And Harry wants to be an animagus? How'd he even learn about them?"
"You agree to teach him, then?"
"I'd do anything for Harry, but-"
Sesshōmaru cut him off. "That is all the answer I require for now. You are exhausted; we will speak more tomorrow. The room you arrived in has been set aside for your use, food has been provided, and my servants are at your disposal. Do not leave the Suite, though no rooms within it are restricted."
Sirius hesitated, then stood. He paused at the entrance, looking back with determination. "Bring Harry with you tomorrow, will you?"
The inuyōkai stared him down before lifting his chin a fraction. "Good night, Lord Black."
The study door closed on the wizard's parting words. "Good night, Lord Sesshōmaru."
ooo
Sirius sat at the small writing desk that had come furnished with the room. The remains of his dinner dishes were stacked on a tray nearby but he hadn't gotten around to putting them outside the door yet. He had a sneaking suspicion that all of the servants in this place were dolls like that one that had taken his place in Azkaban. None of them spoke, no matter how much he prodded, and only nodded or shook their heads or stared at him blankly if he asked something more detailed than a yes or no question. He only hoped the blood donors had been willing.
The man himself was mystery upon mystery as well. When the glamour had dropped, Sirius had had to fight hard not to simply drop to his knees, and not entirely because of the press of the man's wild magic. When he'd given his title, something had perked up in the back of his mind. Hadn't his father mentioned something about that House once? Orion had probably been drunk at the time, but there was something definitely familiar trying to press through his haze of pre-Azkaban memories. As soon as he had access to it, he'd have to raid his father's library.
Pushing thoughts of his rescuer and his household from his mind, he refocused on the parchment in front of him. Even if he never got to send it, he had a letter that desperately needed to be written. Taking a deep breath, he steeled his nerves and picked up the gorgeous fountain pen he'd been provided with.
Dear Remus...
