The air in the Hikawa shrine was thick with the scent of incense, though it did little to mask the oppressive chill creeping through the room. The flickering candles cast jagged shadows across the walls, mirroring the turmoil within. Kaori Hikawa stood at the center of the room, her trembling hands clutching a sacred talisman. Before her, Kuri, her granddaughter, stood with an unnaturally rigid posture, her head tilted just slightly too far to the side.
The girl's usual warmth, her quick, defiant spark, was nowhere to be found. Instead, a cold, sneering presence stared back at Kaori through Kuri's piercing blue eyes.
"You should have known it wouldn't work, Kaori," the girl said, her voice low and laced with venom. It was Kuri speaking, but it wasn't Kuri. Sadako's voice carried through, deep and guttural, like the scrape of steel against stone. "You thought your pitiful charms could stop me? I'm more powerful than even you."
Kaori's grip on the talisman tightened, her knuckles whitening. She had seen this transformation many times before, but it never became easier. Each time, Sadako grew stronger, and each time, Kuri's spirit seemed to fray a little more.
"I should have destroyed you the moment you first appeared," Kaori said, her voice steady despite the ache in her heart. "But I thought—I hoped—that Kuri's light would be enough to keep you at bay."
Sadako's smile twisted Kuri's young features into something grotesque. "Her light?" she mocked, laughing. "This girl isn't as powerful as you think. She can't control me forever. She isn't as strong as her mother, and she's certainly no match for you."
"You're wrong." Kaori straightened, her voice rising with conviction. "Kuri is infinitely more powerful than any woman in the Hikawa line. She carries Midoriko's blood—she's the progeny of the Divine Feminine. You, Sadako, are nothing but a shadow, a parasite clinging to a force far greater than yourself. And Kuri will destroy you."
Sadako's laughter deepened, sending a shiver down Kaori's spine. "She's awake in here, you know. Watching everything. I think I'll let her see what I do to you. She'll watch as the light leaves your eyes. When I'm done with you, I'll take my time with her precious sisters. One by one, I'll tear them apart. And I won't need magic to do it."
Kaori's heart ached, but she didn't falter. "Good," she said sharply. "Because any magic you did have was destroyed the day you failed to kill Harry Potter."
Kuri's voice broke through, raw and desperate. "Stop it!" she screamed, her body convulsing as the spirits warred for control. She dropped to her knees, clutching her head, until a guttural cry escaped her lips. Slowly, Sadako was subdued, her presence retreating back into the depths of Kuri's soul.
Kaori ran to her granddaughter, pulling her into a tight embrace. "I told you time and again to be careful! You're letting her slip through!"
"I'm sorry," Kuri whispered, trembling. "It's harder to keep her in check when—when things happen."
"Were you fighting again?" Kaori asked sharply, pulling back to search Kuri's face.
Kuri looked away, her cheeks flushing. "They were bullying Reiko again. I couldn't just stand by."
"And did you manage to keep yourself from using magic?"
"Of course I did," Kuri said, meeting her grandmother's eyes. "But I decked them. Got the drop on one, but the others…" She rubbed her bruised temple.
Kaori sighed, her lips pressing into a thin line. "Stop talking like a Yankee. You've been watching too much of that television. You're in Britain now, Kuri, and your recklessness has consequences. That's why I've made a decision."
Kuri frowned, dreading what was to come.
"I've taught you as much as I can," Kaori said firmly. "But you and your sisters need structure—and distance from the chaos you've stirred here. I'm sending you all to Hogwarts."
"Hogwarts?" Kuri blinked, surprised.
"Yes. Your stepfather, Sachiel, has already sent Krystal ahead. Your cousins, Ava and Billie, are professors there—Ava teaches Runes, and Billie handles Muggle Studies."
"Muggle?" Kuri tilted her head.
Kaori grunted in disapproval. "That's what they call ningen, dear. And they refer to yokai as 'creatures' and yurei as 'ghosts.' They don't even speak of tenshi. Their magical world is… limited, to say the least."
"But Krystal is half tenshi. So they'll just… ignore that?"
"They'll try," Kaori said bitterly. "But it doesn't matter. What matters is that you'll be safe there—or as safe as you can be."
Kuri nodded reluctantly. "I understand. I'll do my best. I'm sorry for causing trouble again."
Kaori's face softened. "It's not your fault, love. You're fighting a battle no child should have to bear."
Kuri frowned. "But what about my training? What about Sadako? How am I supposed to keep her in check if I'm so far away from you?"
Kaori's expression softened. "You'll have help there, Kuri. More than you realize. There's a boy—Harry Potter. He's already defeated Sadako once. If anyone can help you, it's him."
Kuri's heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. She had heard stories of Harry Potter, the boy who lived. A boy who, like her, carried a heavy burden. There was something about his name—something that sparked an odd sense of familiarity, a connection she couldn't explain.
"But I don't know him," Kuri said hesitantly.
"You will," Kaori said, her voice filled with quiet certainty. "And when you do, you'll understand why this is necessary."
Xxx
Kuri lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Her mind churned with thoughts of Hogwarts, of Sadako, of Harry Potter. She couldn't shake the strange pull she felt at the mention of his name. She wondered what he was like. Was he kind? Was he strong? Did he feel as alone as she did?
Her eyelids grew heavy, and sleep began to take her. But as she drifted off, a cold presence crept into her mind.
"Did you think I'd stay quiet forever?" Sadako's voice slithered through her thoughts.
Kuri's body convulsed as Sadako seized control. Her limbs moved against her will, carrying her across the room. When she woke, she was on the floor, her hands covered in blood.
She stared at them, trembling. "What have you done?"
Sadako's laughter echoed in her mind, cruel and triumphant. "This is just the beginning, child. And soon, not even Harry Potter will be able to save you."
But deep down, beneath the fear and despair, a quiet, steady voice whispered back: He will..