Ninja Wizard CoS 10

By David

Disclaimer: Harry Potter and company isn't mine. They belong to JK Rowling.

Notes: the marks [] indicate Japanese spoken. These '/' indicate Parseltounge.

Ninja Wizard CoS 10

'Summer Interlude II'

Harry had just discovered his two Animagus forms and was excited about it. According to his Dad's journal a witch or wizard could have only one animal form. If you were really powerful then you could have two. A witch or wizard having two animal forms was rare. Harry knew he was going to have to do some serious research on his forms to make sure he knew what they were about. He spent the rest of the camping trip working on the transformations. He got the cat down perfectly by the time he returned to the train station to head back to London. The Peregrine Falcon would take a bit more time. Harry was lucky enough to find a bookstore on his way back to the train station and he got a book on the peregrine falcon to read on the way home. He studied each page, the photos, and the history on the bird. Getting into London Harry went on alert as he got off the train. Didn't want to run into one of Dumbledore's 'friends'. Harry headed out of the station and walked a few blocks before slipping into an alley. He pulled the Potter wand and swept himself to make sure he was clean of anything, and he was. He put it back in the wand holster and then used the ring portkey back to Potter House. Before leaving the safety of the apparition/portkey room he looked at the safety monitors on the wall and they were clear, meaning no trouble anywhere. Harry went into his master bedroom upstairs and left the pack on his bed as he stripped off for a shower. Once he was feeling clean he went back into the bedroom to dig out the dirty clothes and took them down to the laundry room to take care of them. He headed into his study to check his letterbox and there were a few letters there. One was from Griphook.

"Lord Potter, I have successfully acquired the McBurger stock you wanted. The day after I bought it their stock began to rise favorably. According to the London Times, and yes, I do read it, their current troubles are behind them and they are getting back to the business of feeding people, their stock began to go up once more as they had started to circulate advertising that they have a zero tolerance policy for any kind of misbehavior in their company and it seems that people are believing them so they are going back to the McBurger restaurants again. Other than that, all is well," Harry read.

Harry immediately replied to the letter and then headed down to his training room to get in a hard workout. Harry morphed into his cat form and wandered around the house checking out all of the scents he came across. By the end of his going walkabout as a cat Harry was feeling very comfortable. He went human and headed back to the study to read the book about falcons. He spent most of the day reading the book and studying each page. Harry wanted to make sure he got every detail right. By five in the afternoon Harry was feeling a bit overworked so he went up to his room and got dressed, intending to go out for the evening.

Harry's favorite pub, the Red Lion, was always a great place to go and tonight was no exception. Harry ordered his usual fare when he went there, a big porterhouse steak, a fully loaded baked potato, green salad with blue cheese, and ice cold coke. The jukebox in the corner was jumping with his favorite music and there were games of footy on the TV's scattered round the place. Harry took his time with his food and relaxed, he was in a good mood at the moment and wanted to enjoy it. He had about two weeks at the house before taking Hermione and her parents to Japan. Kotake had cleared with the Kokura ninja, it was a simple matter of making sure the Grangers didn't suspect anything and Harry being able to slip away for training sessions with the instructors. Harry snapped to attention when the jukebox stopped and someone took the stage and announced the karaoke was open to anyone who wanted to sing. A few people took up the challenge and while most of them were fair, there were one or two that were terrible. One girl did stand out with her rendition of Phil Collins' 'Hold On My Heart', and Harry really liked it. Two kids also stood out with a dance number to Phil Collins' 'Dance Into the Light'. It was a great evening and Harry was able to relax. Harry left the pub about nine thirty and making sure nobody was looking his way, he stepped into a dark shadow and apparated back to Potter House. He checked his letterbox and there wasn't anything new there. He checked the TV guide and didn't find anything worth watching so he decided to call it a day.

Harry called Hermione on her mobile the next afternoon. She picked up on the fourth ring.

"Hello Harry!" she said.

Harry grinned. "Hello to you. How are things?"

"Good. We just got home from our trip into France," she said.

"Have a good time?" Harry asked.

"We did, and how was your backpacking trips?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded as he grabbed the bottle of water. "Good. Had fun tromping round the forests. I enjoyed camping out with nature. First time I've done it on my own and it was fun. I'm thinking of doing it again next summer."

"Oh good for you Harry," Hermione said brightly. "Mum and Dad are getting back to work and everything is good here."

Harry sighed. "Good. Glad to hear that. No problems with nosy people?"

"None. Dad's come up with a plan for getting to the airport," Hermione said. "He thinks you should just meet us there and use your Japanese name to board and then we can connect on the plane."

Harry was impressed. "Good idea. Your Mom and Dad okay with being gone for three or four weeks? I am planning on spending my birthday there."

The plan had them leaving on the 26th of July and returning on the 16th of August, plenty of time to prepare for third year at Hogwarts.

"Absolutely. They have great people working there at their office so it's not a problem. They are looking forward to seeing where you once lived and so am I," Hermione said.

"Good. That's settled then. I'll see you guys at the airport on the 26th of July," Harry stated. "We will have a great time."

"Of course," Hermione said brightly. "See you then!"

Harry set his mobile down and smiled as he envisioned Hermione in a brightly colored kimono. Harry hoped the trip home would be a good one.

Harry walked into Heathrow a few days later. He was in his suit looking like an English schoolboy on holiday. His senses were on high alert and so far he hadn't seen anything unusual. He passed through security with no problems and kept his pace steady, not wanting to look rushed. He arrived at the JAL check in counter and got his boarding pass. He glanced over to the waiting area and saw Hermione and her parents together with their carry on bags. Harry wondered if Hermione had books in hers and knowing her well knew that was a safe bet. Harry passed them up and they didn't give him a second look. Harry took a seat with his back to the wall. He glanced at his watch. Fifteen minutes to wait. Harry glanced around as he sat there. He picked up a discarded newspaper and started to read it to kill off some time and to observe people milling around. So far so good. Then a few minutes later there was the first boarding call. Harry watched a family heading towards the door to get on the plane. Then it was a disabled man in his wheelchair. Harry stood up and stretched, feeling things go pop in his body. Other people were standing up and collecting their things to take onto the plane with them. Harry joined the line queuing up to get on board. He glanced around a few times more and still no trouble. Harry had no intention of letting his guard down until the plane was off the ground. Then the line was moving and Harry was able to board. He was directed to the first class seating area and he took his seat by the window. After the usual song and dance from the stewards about evacuating the plane, they were off. Harry was finally able to relax once they reached thirty thousand feet. Hermione appeared next to him and sat down on his left.

"Hello," she said brightly.

Harry grinned at her. "Hello to you."

The plane landed right on schedule. Harry followed the Grangers off the plane and they met in the area just beyond the door they had used to get off the plane. Harry looked up at the information board and nodded.

"Our baggage should be ready in a few minutes," Harry announced.

One older gentleman turned to Harry. "You read Japanese?"

"Yes sir. I speak it and write it as well," Harry replied.

"Jolly good, young man. Keep up on that skill, you could have a career as a translator," the man said.

"I plan on it sir," Harry informed him.

"Good for you. Nice to see a motivated young man these days," the man nodded.

The people in front of them began to move. Dan Granger reached out for Harry and pulled him in closer to them.

"Let the crowd go first, Harry. Plenty of time to get our baggage," Dan said.

They relaxed for a bit and the crowd slowly dwindled away to a few people. Harry went to a nearby trolley rental and got one for them to use. He followed Dan over to the carousel and helped him get the luggage off rotating belt. Dan turned to Harry once everything was on the trolley.

"Where to now, Harry?" Dan asked.

Harry looked up at the overhead signs and pointed in a direction. "That a way. Make sure your passports are ready, bow slightly and then hand it over."

They followed the crowd to the immigrations desk. Harry watched the Grangers clear customs first and then he went through. Nothing happened, and Harry breathed a sigh. He met up with them a few feet away and smiled. "Welcome to Japan!"

"What next, Harry?" Hermione asked.

Harry smiled as he got a whiff of fresh ramen cooking somewhere and glanced at his watch. "We are a bit early. Are you folks hungry?"

"We are," Emma replied. "What do you have in mind?"

Harry grinned. "Ramen. Fresh, well cooked ramen. Not like the instant ramen you get in the store. Much better than that."

"Lead on then," Dan said.

Harry led them to a ramen stand not too far away and the Grangers ended up getting the sampler specials, four small bowls each with the various flavors available. Harry ordered the chicken bowl and slurped it down while keeping a lookout for the driver that was supposed to meet them and drive them to the hotel.

"These are really good, Harry!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Yes they are," Harry said. "Mom makes better, though."

"I liked the beef one," Dan said a moment later.

Emma set down her fork. "This miso one was great!"

"I liked all four," Hermione said.

Harry cleared away his trash. "I like all four flavors. You'll get a chance to sample more of the Japanese cuisine, trust me on that."

Before Dan could reply, a tall man arrived and bowed to Harry.

[There you are, cousin. I am glad to have found you], he said.

Harry smiled. [It's good to see you, cousin. Is everyone well]?

[They are, and eager to see you and your guests as well], the man said. [Thank you for making it easy to find you].

[That's why I sat here, Ito. To keep a lookout for anyone tasked with coming for me], Harry said.

[Kazuya said to look for you in the ramen stands], Ito laughed. [If you are ready to go, we shall leave].

Ito took command of the trolley with the luggage and they followed him to the curb where the van was waiting for them. Harry and Dan helped with the luggage as Emma and Hermione got into the van. Dan and Harry were next and Ito took the passenger seat.

[Obito]! Harry called out when he saw who was driving. [How are you]?

The man turned to look at Harry and smiled. [I am well, and you]?

[I'm great]! Harry said.

Then Harry switched to English. "Okay, introductions are in order. The man at the wheel is Obito, and the other man here is Ito. Guys, my friends from England the Grangers. Dan, Emma, and Hermione."

"Welcome to Japan!" Ito greeted them.

"And we are off," Obito said from behind the wheel. "Get your cameras ready."

They left the airport, Obito expertly navigating through the traffic.

The meet, greet, and reunion took place at a nice hotel a few miles away. Harry made the introductions and was pleased that had gone well. The plan was to stay here for a day to see some of the sights and then go to the village by way of the Shinkansen, a van to the lake, and then a boat into the village. They headed up to their rooms and settled in. The Grangers got one room, Harry and Hermione were to get another room, and everyone else had their assigned rooms. Hermione liked the room but she was a bit curious as to why the bathroom looked different.

"Why is the tub so small, and the hand shower is in the corner?" she asked Harry.

"This is the way the Japanese have their baths," Harry explained. "You sit on the stool there and get wet, then soap up, and rinse off. Then you go soak in the hot water in the tub. Been that way for centuries."

"Oh," Hermione said. "This is going to be interesting."

"I think you are going to like the experience," Harry grinned. "Don't worry, you will get your privacy. I think your Mom and Dad will enjoy the bath."

Hermione's eyebrows lifted at that comment. Harry smiled as he went back into the room. Hermione followed him a moment later. Both of them looked at the twin beds for a moment and Harry turned to her.

"Which one do you want?" he asked her.

"I'll take the one in the corner," she decided.

"Okay, and I'll take this one by the window," Harry said.

"Um, Harry? Do you… how do you… err… how do you normally sleep?" Hermione blushed as she asked the question.

Harry grinned, as he knew what it was she was asking. This was going to be fun.

"Well, I normally don't wear anything to bed, Hermione. I'm much more comfortable that way. The traditional way is to wear shorts and a short kimono top to bed. It ties off on one side of you. The kimono top is normally a very light cotton and it comes in numerous styles. If and when I do use one, I wear a dark blue one and I did pack one for bed," Harry replied.

"Do girls wear one too?" Hermione asked.

"Sure. I can ask Mom to get you one. I'm thinking a nice peach color would look good on you," Harry said.

"Thank you Harry," a very relieved Hermione said.

They turned to the door when Shizune and Emma arrived.

"Oh good," Harry said when he saw them. "Mom, Hermione's going to need a sleeping outfit."

"That's why we came over," Shizune smiled. "I brought one for Hermione."

She handed over the package and Hermione opened it. It was a peach color and Hermione liked it. She tried on the top and Harry showed her how it tied up closed.

"It's a good fit," Hermione announced.

"Looks good on you, Hermione. Glad you like it," Harry said.

Hermione took off the top and laid it out on the bed along with the shorts.

"So what's the plan now, Mom?" Harry asked.

Shizune nodded. "We go to dinner."

They were up fairly early the next morning. Dinner last night had been interesting for the Grangers as they got to sample a lot of the food that was presented to them. After that they had gone for a walk and saw some of the sights around the hotel there. After that it had been to bed. Harry hadn't been kidding when he said the sleeping kimono was comfortable. Hermione wanted to get a few more of them and Shizune told her she would show Hermione a few places where she could get what she wanted at very reasonable prices. That pleased Emma and Hermione as Dan sighed.

"Yes Dan, shopping," Emma said firmly. "I would like to get a few mementos of our trip here, and we should get something nice for the staff back home."

Dan did his best to look contrite. "Yes dear."

"So where are we off to first?" Harry asked.

Hiroshi smiled. "Well, let's see…"

They spent the day touring a few of the places of interest, even stopping at a Samurai village where they got to see how life was like back in the sixteenth century. They witnessed a staged battle, Noh theatre, and watched how people did things back then. They toured one of the famous Kyushu pottery towns, Emma wanting to get a few of the pieces on their way back home. They headed back to the hotel after a long day. Tomorrow they would be heading to the village and it would be a long journey. There was more to see and do on the way. Hermione spent an hour writing in her diary what she had seen as Harry watched a sumo match on the TV in the hotel room and explained it to Hermione when she looked at what Harry was watching.

"Did you do that when you were younger?" Hermione asked him.

Harry smiled at the memory. "Sure. All of us boys did and I had fun doing it. I really never got serious about it, it was something fun for me to do. Only two or three of us boys took it seriously. I was more into karate and kickboxing."

"I didn't know you did that," Hermione said.

"I go up to the room of requirement once in a great while to practice what little I know," Harry said, knowing it was just an excuse.

"Could you show me something sometime?" Hermione asked.

Harry nodded. "I will as I think you should know something in order to protect yourself. I can show you the basic forms as I don't know that much."

Even as he said those words he knew he was lying to her and that bothered him. He didn't want to hide anything from her and he needed to think of a way to tell her. Harry was sure he could come up with a solution to the problem as he felt he could trust her. He just needed the perfect opportunity to do it.

They arrived at Izumi-zan late afternoon and was greeted by people there. It had barely changed and Harry felt like he had come home. He sighed and immediately felt at peace. In just two days was his thirteenth birthday. He felt happy about being here to celebrate it with friends and family. The Grangers were shown to a small house. Once Harry knew they were very comfortable there he headed to his house. He was happy to be back in a very familiar place. He wondered just how he would do his training without Hermione finding out. He would deal with it when it happened. He would go and do what he had to. He went to sit on the porch outside his room and watched the day change into the night. It was so peaceful and quiet here he wished he didn't have to deal with Dumbledore and his silly games. He turned to see Hermione coming towards him.

"Harry!" she called out. "How does it feel to be back home?"

She joined him on the porch.

"Feels great. I feel so at peace right now," Harry said.

"I like it here," Hermione said. "It's quiet."

Right on cue a bird started up and a few others joined in. Harry turned to Hermione.

"Not always," Harry said.

Hermione had to laugh at that one. They listened to them for a few minutes.

"Is it always like this?" Hermione asked.

"Yes. I remember lying awake at night and listening to them sing at night," Harry said. "They weren't the only ones either. Crickets, owls, and other creatures."

"I know I'm not going to forget this vacation. Definitely one to remember," Hermione said. "See you in the morning?"

"Sure. Don't know where I'm going to be," Harry said.

"I'll find you," Hermione said.

And she would, with interesting results.

Hermione showed up at his bedroom porch the next morning to find the old man Kazuya and a Siamese cat. Harry was showing Kazuya his animal forms when she appeared. Harry the cat and Kazuya blinked at her as they had been surprised by her appearance. Hermione saw the cat.

"Good morning sir," she greeted Kazuya.

"Good morning miss," the old man said pleasantly.

Hermione reached out to pet the cat and Harry purred as Hermione petted him.

"Have you seen Harry sir?" she asked politely, studying the cat as she petted it.

Kazuya was trapped. What should he say? Fortunately Hermione's powers of keen observation saved him from having to answer her.

"What an unusual marking," Hermione commented as she spotted the faint white lightening bolt above the right green eye. "It looks like the one Harry has above his right eye. It's kind of faint, but if you look carefully you can see it. I didn't know Siamese cats could have green eyes. They're just as green as Harry's."

Hermione frowned as a thought occurred to her and Harry knew the gig was up as he saw the look in her eyes when she had figured out something.

"Harry?" she whispered softly. "Is that you?"

She blinked in shock as the cat slapped his face with a paw in disgust. "Oh my God…"

A moment later Harry was sitting in front of her. Kazuya quietly excused himself. Harry looked deep into her eyes as he reached out to probe her mental defenses. The second they locked eyes Harry whispered the spell that would get him into her mind. He found himself in the living room of her house. He went into the closest room to discover a library in there. Harry browed the titles and they were titles of things she was actively pursuing. Harry knew that Hermione was a very bright witch and these were the kind of books that she liked. Harry returned back to the living room and wandered through the house until he came back to the ground floor to find a lady standing there.

"Come along Mr. Potter, we have been waiting for you," she said, taking Harry's arm and escorting him through another door, emerging into what looked like the waiting room of a doctor's office, "Dr. Granger has been waiting for you."

Harry suddenly realized that Hermione's true secrets were in here. All he had to do was shake off the lady and find the file room. Harry let her lead him into the hall. As they walked past doors, Harry peeked into each one until he encountered a door that was locked. A peek through the glass insert told him this was the file room, and in those files would be Hermione's secrets. He gently shook off the lady and darted for the door, grasping the doorknob and then something grabbed his body and ferociously shook his ass hard. The lady beamed at him as she picked him up, carried him into a room, and dropped him into the chair. The chair reacted by strapping him into it very tight. Dan Granger appeared a moment later in a blood spattered smock, blood spattered gloves, and a terrifying smile on his face.

"Oho!" he cried, "what do we have here?"

Harry did not like the looks of this. "Ah, well…"

Dan Granger leaned on the right arm of the chair as the lady returned with a covered tray.

"I don't appreciate people trying to break into my lovely daughter's head, sir. Hermione has told me much about you and I really did think well of you… until now. So, tell me, Mister Potter, why are you sneaking round in her head?" Dan Granger said, picking up a drill with a long pointy something attached to it and hitting the power button and making it growl.

Harry began to sweat as he contemplated the truth. "Sir, I really like Hermione. She has such a brilliant mind. She can go anywhere and do anything once she makes up her mind that she's going to do it. The truth is I need to know if she is capable of keeping secrets. There is one other person I'm sure of, and as soon as I test one more mind and his defenses, I'll tell them why I did this."

Dan Granger put up the drill as he nodded. "Very well, Harry Potter. We will trust you for now. The chair will show you the door."

Before Harry could ask how the chair was going to do that, it stood up and began moving for the door. It carried Harry down the hall, out into the waiting room, out the front door of the office, and into the waiting arms of two police officers. The chair released Harry and the two bobbies (what they are called in England) took Harry's arms and dragged him out to the street where the biggest one kicked his butt out into the street. Harry snapped to the moment he landed on the pavement and looked to see Hermione smirk at him. Harry inclined his head at her.

"I have you to thank for that, Mr. Potter. Now, why was it necessary for you to test my mental defenses, Harry?" Hermione demanded.

Harry sighed as he thought about what to say.

"Let me in, Harry!" she demanded.

Harry looked up at her. "You did get in."

Harry stood up and went back into his bedroom and returned with tea for the both of them. He sat down and poured her a cup and then took one for himself. He sipped it as he thought about what he was going to say. He began to talk, starting from what Hiroshi told him of the night Voldemort had attacked him and his parents, killing his parents and attacking him, somehow the killing curse had rebounded from Harry and back to Voldemort, or at least that had been Hiroshi's best guess not having seen the actual incident, only that he found Harry in the crib. Hiroshi had brought Harry here and giving him his Japanese identity. How Kazuya discovered a tiny piece of Voldemort's soul inside the scar and removed it. How he grew up loved and cared for. Then he gave Hermione another shock as he confessed to being ninja and had used his ninja skills to take out death eaters, and ending the tale with how he became a cat.

"So now you know everything, Hermione. You got in. If I didn't trust you I would have obliviated you and fixed your memory. But I can trust you Hermione. I do confess to being a bit devious when I gave you that book on Occlumency, hoping that your very inquisitive mind would learn it and use it. Gotta tell you, your Dad is downright scary in that blood covered smock and holding the drill while looking demented. Scared the crap out of me. There was another reason why I wanted you to learn it. Dumbledore and Snape are mind readers. They would not think twice about breaking into your mind and taking whatever information from you that they thought they could use against me. For some reason Dumbledore wants me under his complete control and I don't know why," Harry said and then related to her what he had discovered from the goblins about what Dumbledore had done to him.

They sat there for some time until Hermione finally spoke up.

"There's lots I can do to help you fight them, Harry. You know how good I am at researching things. We can train together, Harry. I'm willing to learn all you can teach me, Harry. You do not have to go through this alone," she said.

"Are you sure, Hermione? Once Dumbledore finds out you're working with me you will become a target. He will try to find a way to use you to try and control me. He will send Snape after you. The DE's will know you are a close friend and they will try to hurt you if they think they can get away with it. I don't want you to get hurt," Harry said.

"Friends help friends, Harry. I am your best friend, and I do want to help you. I mean that," Hermione pleaded.

Harry sighed and nodded. "Okay. There's not much going on at the moment and I'm not needed until later in the morning. I need to show you my trunk."

"What's in your trunk, Harry?" Hermione asked as they stood up.

Hermione followed Harry into his bedroom through the shoji walls. Harry took her hand into his and reached out for his trunk.

"Trust me on this," Harry said as he laid his hand on the Potter crest in the top of the trunk and whispered something.

Before Hermione had a chance to blink, they were standing inside his trunk. Harry grinned at he shocked expression.

"Welcome to my trunk, Miss Granger. Would you like the tour?" Harry asked.

Hermione could only nod.

Sometime later Harry sat in his chair in his war room and watched Hermione pursuing the wall as he examined everything he had pinned to the wall. Harry wiped the sweat off him after demonstrating his ninja and magical skills in the spell arena. She freaked when Harry demonstrated his apparating skill in the battle. That was her first lesson, apparating, and it took her at least twenty minutes to get it down pat.

"This is incredible, Harry. This must have taken a lot of research," she said, finally turning away from the walls.

"Nearly a year of reading twelve years worth of the Daily Prophet with a big interest in the first war against Voldy," Harry said as he sipped on a bottle of ice cold Gatorade. "The issues detailing the aftermath were very interesting. Lots of witches and wizards claiming to be under the imperious spell."

"You sound like you don't buy that excuse," Hermione sat down in a chair facing him. "I don't either. They were in it with him."

"Yes they were, and Snape was one of them. I don't buy Dumbledore's excuse regarding Snape supposedly having reformed his ways. I get the feeling deep down that Snape is playing Dumbledore for a sucker. The old man's way too trusting and his talk about how we should give the DE's a chance to change their ways doesn't sit well with me either. They enjoy killing and torture too much to give it up. I kill because it's the only way to stop them and I save innocent lives when I do, and before you ask, yes, I have killed DE's. Last time was a few weeks ago when a pair of DE marked werewolves came after me during one of my backpacking trips. Silver is the only way to kill them according to what I've read. I didn't have silver so I did the next best thing. I took their heads. I didn't like it Hermione, but it had to be done. I saved innocent lives doing it. According to what I've discovered, there was a group of werewolves that liked to bite little kids. The parents would reject the kids and having nowhere to go was forced to join the werewolves that turned them. A lot of them couldn't handle that and killed themselves by drinking liquid silver."

Hermione turned very white at that. "Oh Harry."

"I get the dangerous feeling that Voldemort isn't completely gone like everyone says he is. If Kazuya was able to remove that tiny bit of him from my scar, then there must be other bits of him floating around out there. He's going to come back in a new body and he will be twice as bad. I don't know if I am the only one who believes that. I suspect that Dumbledore does and that somehow I get the feeling I'm going to be a key player in all of this. There's a few missing pieces to the puzzle and I need to find those pieces, and I am sure Dumbledore knows more than he's letting on," Harry sighed.

"So what do we do, Harry?" Hermione asked her voice firm with resolve.

"For now we start training. We watch Dumbledore. We start looking for possible allies. I'm thinking Neville Longbottom, Luna Lovegood, Ginny Weasley, the Weasley twins, and possibly others. Long list, but we start out with those people," Harry said.

"What about Ron Weasley?" Hermione asked.

"Not a chance. Molly and Arthur Weasley pulled him out of Hogwarts. They are currently on a trip to Egypt to visit Bill Weasley. According to Fred, Bill is the number one ward and curse breaker for Gringotts Bank. His job is to go and assist treasure hunting teams. I'd hire him to ward any house I owned in a heartbeat. Let's get out of here before they start searching for us," Harry said.

They left the trunk and headed outside to look for everybody and found them gathered in the center of the village. Emma and Dan were being held by a few of the ninja there. Two of them grabbed Hermione and before Harry could react he found himself facing several naginatas, long poles with blades on them.

"What's going on here?" Harry asked calmly as one of the ninja tapped Hermione on the side of her neck in a nerve cluster knocking her out.

Harry watched the ninja carry her off.

"You revealed secrets," Hamura said. "You must be punished. If you can defeat your former brothers then you will live and so will they but you will never be Kokura Ninja for the rest of your life."

"If you harm them in any way, shape, or form, I will kill all of you," Harry said calmly. "That's a promise."

The ninja with the spears pointed in the direction that Harry was to go. He started down a path he knew so well and they walked for at least a half hour until they approached a cave. They pointed to the cave and Harry knew he was to go inside. He nodded to Hamura and headed inside. Once Harry passed the threshold the heavy wood door closed behind him. One of the ninja turned to Hamura.

[Will he make it master]? He asked.

Hamura nodded. [If he is the ninja he is then he shall pass the Kokura Ninja Trials].

[What do we do about the girl and her parents]? The ninja asked.

[That is Kazuya's task. He will handle that], Hamura said.

[What if the girl tells her parents everything]? The ninja asked again.

He sighed. [It is expected. She has a strong mind, she has learned how to protect it. With a little help from her and Kazuya they will learn how to protect their minds too. They do not need to be magical to learn how to protect thier minds. They will be a very valuable asset to Harry].

Harry mentally prepared himself for battle as he moved forward. It was extremely dark in the cave as he moved forward. He slipped into Getsumi no Michi seeking it's help in navigating the cave and to guide him in the coming battle. He wondered why they thought he had become traitor when they should have known that Harry would never betray them. Hermione had figured it all out on her own. Suddenly something flew at him in the dark and Harry sensed the attack long before it got to him. Harry blocked the strike and initiated one of his own, and the battle was on. Harry moved through the dark cave fighting for every step of the way and succeeding. Finally he emerged from the cave to fins himself inside a wood enclosure. Harry was suddenly reminded of the Chuck Norris movie where the actor had to fight ninjas in various sections of a wooden maze. Naturally he won, but that was the movies. This was real life. Harry stared at one of the ninja as he stepped through the door into the next section. The ninja moved the moment Harry was clear of the door, using his fingers for claws as he initiated the attack. Harry reacted as he had trained himself to, by reacting to the attack, blocking it and doing one of his own in seconds. To anyone watching Harry appeared to be moving very fast, faster than humanly possible. To Harry they were slow, almost in a relaxed fashion. This was where Harry's constant training was now paying off. Harry pushed the man until his back was pressed into the wall on the other side. The man was hard pressed to defend himself and then in a moment of hesitation, got knocked out cold. Harry turned to see another wood door open to reveal the next area. He stepped through and he observed a ninja-to stuck into the ground before him in the center. Harry went to it and brought the blade up behind him tight against his body. His opponent dropped down from the top of the wall and that fight was on. Harry proved just how good he was with the ninja-to, defeating his opponent. Harry kept moving through each section proving his skill with each weapon until he got to the last section that was very big. A dozen ninja came into the ring through different door s with different weapons. Harry inclined his head to them and that fight started. Now Harry was going to pull out all the stops and reveal just how hard he had trained and he did, taking them all on and using every skill possible including his apparating skill and his cat form, using his cat claws to shred them up, taking everybody completely by surprise. Harry managed to defeat all twelve of the ninja set against him. He picked up a ninja-to and advanced on the man closest to him.

[Enough. Stay your hand], the voice called out.

Harry turned to see and old man enter the ring.

[You have more than proved your worth to the Kokura Ninja, Tadeo. Today you have passed the Kokura Ninja Trials. You are now truly a Kokura Ninja for life], the old man said. [Come. There is much to be discussed].

"Harry!" Hermione called out. "We're okay! We're safe!"

Harry's shoulders sagged in relief.

In front of the council house that evening after the evening meal, Harry got the explanation he hoped for.

"They wanted to test you Harry," Kazuya said. "When you revealed your cat for to Hermione it gave us the perfect opening we needed to draw you into the testing grounds. The one you went through before you left for Hogwarts was for the rank of Genin. Today we are honored to confer upon you the rank of Jonin. You earned it Harry because you proved that you had skill. Using your apparition and cat form was a brilliant bit of strategy. Really shocked all of us."

"It was well done, Harry. Threw all of us for a loop, little brother!" Ichiro laughed at the memory. Well done!"

"Use those skills wisely, Harry. Use them at the right moments to throw the enemy off balance so that you may defeat them," the old man said.

Harry nodded. "I will sir."

"Good. Now you have one more job before you take leave of us, and that is to help teach Emma and Dan how to protect their minds from the nosy Dumbledork," he said. "This man must not know your secrets until you strike him down for his crimes against you. Your friend Hermione says it is fairly easy to do. One does not need to be magical to learn how to protect their minds."

Harry bowed to the man. "Then I shall see to it."

"Very good. You are now, and ever shall be Kokura Ninja. Be worthy of the honor," the old man said.

"I will sir," Harry replied as he bowed once more.

"And one more thing," the old man said with a slight smile on his face.

Harry looked up. "What is it sir?"

The old man smiled. "Happy thirteenth birthday, Tadeo. May you live a long and prosperous life."

Shizune appeared with a cake, and the party got started. Harry would later tell people that it was the best day ever in his life.

To Be Continued

Next Up: the Prisoner of Azkaban!