The household stood outside the house in the wide field of wild flowers as a floating fire burned in the middle. Harry, Draco and Luna stood close to Sesshoumaru and Kagome. Severus sat with Kenshin standing as always behind in his hovering chair, Sirius staring at the three teens with a sad face. Harry bowed to Sesshoumaru, "Thank you for taking care of us and training us, sir," After a heartfelt goodbye with his godfather and a respectful wave at the Potion Master, he turned back to Sesshoumaru, "I'm ready,"

Sesshoumaru nodded and handed his a satchel. Harry dug into the satchel and brought out a fistful of glittering green sand. He threw it into the floating fire and shouted, "Hogwarts!" In a flurry of emerald flames, he disappeared. Draco stood in front of Sesshoumaru, bowing, "I could not express how much gratitude I have for you, sir. You taught me what it meant to be a true aristocrat and a true nobleman. You taught me well in discipline and respect in others. I will cherish this knowledge always," He took a handful of the same sand and turned to Severus, "See you, Uncle Sev,"

After Draco left in a flurry or emerald flame, Luna hugged Kagome and Orihime, to whom she said, "I hope Ulquiorra get well faster," She bowed to Sesshoumaru, "I'm sorry about your 'My Little Pony' collection. Also thank you for training me, sir," She took her handful of sand and disappeared from their sight with a dreamy shout of 'Hogwarts'.

Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru, "My Little Pony collection?"

Sesshoumaru trained his eyes away from her as he cleared his throat. Orihime giggled as Kagome blushed and giggled at him. Haku and Chihiro looked at each other, unable to comprehend the joke. Kenshin shook his head at the looks given by both Severus and Sirius. Sesshoumaru shook his head, "Well, that's three less troubles in my home," He turned to Kenshin, "Dinner time,"

Kenshin nodded, "In a minute, sire,"

As they head back into the house, Kagome leaned into Orihime, "Do you think Kenshin need a change of garment?"

Orihime studied the diminutive red head in front of her up and down, tapping her chin in thought, "Hmm…Ishida-kun is good with sewing. Maybe tomorrow I can convince him to come over here and take a look at Kenshin,"

Kagome nodded and the two fell in a scheming whispers and troubling giggles. Severus looked up as he felt Kenshin shiver, "What's wrong?"

Kenshin smiled, "Nothing, it felt like someone jumped over my grave. However, my grave has long disappeared and forgotten, I guess I can't blame them if they don't recognise it as a grave,"

Sirius stretched, "Sounds superstitious. But then again, we are stuff of superstition," He grinned at Kenshin, "Maybe someone did skipped over your grave,"

Haku sighed, "What morbid discussion are we having so late in the evening?"

Kenshin shrugged, "Well, nothing too morbid for our Chihiro-dono, I hope?"

Chihiro ducked her head, "I'm…I'm fine…"

Kagome sighed as she looked over Chihiro as the girl shyly drew a picture next to her. She smiled when she realised that Chihiro was drawing Haku in his dragon form. She asked, "Have you seen Haku this way?"

Chihiro stopped drawing and looked at Kagome in confusion, "Haku?" She looked at her art piece, "I…used to dream this dragon…when things got…bad,"

Kagome looked at her, "Bad?"

Chihiro nodded, "He's my guardian," She looked at Kagome, "W-why do you think this is…Haku?"

Kagome blinked, "Because that is him as a dragon," She smiled, "A water dragon. Kenshin once told me that Haku used to govern a river name Kohaku River…are you alright, Chihiro?"

The little girl was folding over as she clutched at her head in pain. She shook her head; "My head…it's painful," Kagome frowned and touched her head with her soothing reiki. Chihiro sighed before doubling over and screamed in pain. Kagome gasped as she called out for help in panic. Why would her power harm her?

Haku sat next to Chihiro's futon with a worried scowl on his head. He sighed, "It must be the rule of the Spirit World,"

Kagome looked at him, "Rule of the Spirit World?"

Sesshoumaru nodded, "Those spirited away must not recall what happened to them. If your stories about Haku stir the hidden memory, your power will only strengthen the barrier. The fact that she can recall bits and pieces of what should have been kept hidden shows that she unconsciously seek for those memories,"

Haku frowned, "But why would she want to seek those memories?"

Kagome ran her fingers through Chihiro's hair, "She said that the dragon was her guardian when things go bad,"

Haku looked at her, "Bad?"

Kagome nodded, "Now that I said that, I remembered that she came in a bad condition and that Ishida's dad said that he suspected abuse and that she ran from home," She looked up at Sesshoumaru, "What do you think?"

Sesshoumaru rubbed his chin, "Well, since Doctor Ishida says so and he's a very capable man, I believe we should heed his word,"

Kagome nodded, "I think I would like to visit him,"

Haku touched her wrist, "I would come along. I want to know as well,"

As the two interacted, Sesshoumaru glared at the dragon's hand on what he considered his miko. But shaking the thought aside, he left the room in favour of his office. Kagome noticed his departure but said nothing as she concentrated on her conversation with Haku. Up in his office, Sesshoumaru noticed the vintage mirror hanging on the wall has its silver gilded frame glowing. He headed for the mirror and touched one of the crystal flowers.

The first touch allowed him to observe his contact and once the mirror showed him Dumbledore's face, he pushed the flower and the two mirrors connected. He nodded his head in greeting, "It would be late into the night at your side. Why would you make such a late night call?"

Dumbledore chuckled, "I would like to contact you first thing before I go to bed,"

Sesshoumaru nodded, "I see…as for your reason?"

Dumbledore sighed, shaking his head, "Bad news, milord. Bad news indeed…"

Sesshoumaru quirked a brow, "Explain,"

Dumbledore looked his age as he reported, "Vampires, werewolves and youkai resistance in London has taken over the Ministry; over 300 deaths toll and countless of critical injuries. Many deserted London by this point. Voldemort still in hiding and it seemed that the majorities blamed the three groups guilty of the current upraising. The Daily Prophets painting them as 'Dark Creatures Uprising' does not made things better,"

As Sesshoumaru listened to the Headmaster's report, he can feel his hackles rising and his bestial instinct shaking its cage of sanity as it felt its position as alpha being challenged. He clenched his fists and his claws glowed with poisons that bit into the skin as his sharp claws dug into the palm of his hand. But being from the same body, it does not harm him. But Sesshoumaru could feel his patient being challenged as his face remained impassive; the only sign other than the clench if his fists would be the bloom of acid green deep in his golden gaze.

Even standing millions of miles away from where the Daiyoukai stood, Dumbledore could feel his fines hairs rising as the deadly calm look on Sesshoumaru's face. Once his report was done, he sighed, "As for the matter of the Horcrux…"

Sesshoumaru murmured loud enough for the man to hear, "Have you located them? How many is the count?"

Dumbledore paled, "After interrogating Slughorn, the number has been confirmed. Counting in the destroyed diary, it seemed that Voldemort aiming to create seven of them,"

Sesshoumaru regarded the man, "Including the boy?"

Dumbledore shook his head, "I believed that he himself does not know about Harry,"

"I see,"

The meeting ended near sunset and Sesshoumaru sighed as he sat behind his desk. He leaned his head back and rolled his tense shoulders. He scowled at his ceiling, "Foolish beasts,"

A soothing scent entered his senses and Sesshoumaru opened his closed eyes. He realised that he has fallen asleep but can't recall when. Outside, the sky has darkened and glittered with stars. He sighed and wiped his palm over his face as the scent grew closer. He straightened and looked at his guest, "Miko,"

Kagome nodded and placed a tray with tea on his desk before him, "You didn't come down for tea or dinner. Would you like a supper? Kenshin has gone in for the night," Sesshoumaru accepted his tea as he felt his belly grumbled slightly at it empty state.

He nodded, "This Sesshoumaru accept,"

As he stood, he noticed the miko dejected shoulders. He looked away and headed for the kitchen. As he opened the fridge, Kagome appeared next to him, her hands nervously gripping each other, "Um…I could…make you supper…if you would…like me to?" She peered at him. Sesshoumaru studied her and gave a quiet approval and headed for the chair by the kitchen's table.

He watched as she started to make his supper, once in a while glancing at him to inquire his taste and preference. Sesshoumaru gave her short, one word answer and observed how she looked put down and less enthusiastic as she went about making his meal. He can't help but followed the entrancing sway of her hip as she goes about the kitchen. Once his meal was set before him, she sat next to him, watching him as he ate.

Once in a while she tried to strike up a conversation, but his lack of answer gave her the impression that he has no interest. It killed any starter from her side instantly. Soon, he finished his meal and with a nod at her direction, he left the kitchen.

Once the landlord disappeared to his room, Kagome looked at the plate and silverware that she washed. She touched his spoon and two drops of salty water fell on her skin. She sniffed, "I miss you,"