The Storm of Shadows, Light of Two Worlds

Chapter 1

By Faith Tomoe Maxwell

After reading so many good crossovers and stories, I can no longer contain my own expressions concerning Harry Potter. I own neither books, since Twelve Kingdoms began as such, nor the anime of Twelve Kingdoms. However, I do own the ideas that surround this story and some of the fiction I create to have the worlds' interact. Enjoy!

many years ago

A tall tree stood admits stone and pebble, glorified only by it's sole position high on top of the enormous castle structures which housed senin, gods and beasts alike. Kept safe atop this mountainous area by multiple stone puzzles and guardian gates, this area was secret to all by the royals and immortals who protected what the tree housed. The tree was the gift of Tentei, supreme lord of the Gods, given to the Kingdoms to birth one of the two who would lead. It was a feature none could take—for cutting this beautiful artifact left the world in ruin. It only bore 12 fruit, 12 special fruit that would come to be known throughout all the world as the purest of all. And it was upon this day that the swollen fruit of the tree was ripe enough to meet it's mothering creature.

The monster had been born within the depths of the trees' roots. It was a fine looking beast with the face and torso of a woman and wings of a white owl. It's long white hair was more feathers of silk and it's golden eyes glowed like a snakes, slited and true. Her wings were wide spread and speckled with black spots while her legs were covered not by a winged creature but that of a set of a cats', more specifically, a cheetah's colored white with black spots and the tail was the same, long and pure. Her final addition would be her human like arms that bore simple hands that were clawed with sharp red tips. This creation of monsters was meant for one purpose. One purpose alone, to love and adore the fruit of the tree. Her name, given to her by the old and horrid keeper of the tomes of monsters was Kira.

"Houki…" Kira cried as she embraced the fragile fruit hanging off the tree. The treasure of the country of Hou held softly, gently and yet firmly within her slender hands gleamed. She could feel the eyes of someone on her but with a movement of those large wings, continually kept up her protective mothering hold over the half that made the Nyokai demon entirely whole.

"I see the Nyokai has finally come out…That is good…Houki-sama should come soon too.." One of the Nyosen, a maidservant sennin meant to care for the fruit's creation, the kirin, stated as she smiled at the one whose purple tinted eyes watched softly upon the creature. "Hou shall have a new Kirin soon…" He smiled gently, almost happy in that content look.

"Keiki!" A youthful voice full of laughter shouted and the white haired kirin turned to see his black haired younger brother. Taiki, a koki or black kirin was running over to the man, waving his hand enthusiastically. Such a pure and sweet child, Keiki thought, looking back to Hou's kirin ranka. Perhaps Houki would be just as wonderful as this little one who embraced Kei's kirin about the legs. "It's good to see you again, Keiki!" He cheered happily.

4 months later

"Congratulations are in order, Taiki, Tai-O…" The Nyosen and their leader bowed appropriately to the newly found King of Tai. Just as they were sitting up, a terrible wind blew through shocking the group. Taiki gripped fearfully to his new King's neck as he sat on the white haired man's shoulder, eyes glowing as leaves scattered. "Houki! HOUKI!" A female scream echoed and many Nyosen got up, running further into the palace. "IIE!" Just as Taiki looked up, he could see a beautiful golden fruit that had come from the tree he was from fly away. "Houki….No…." He whimpered, clutching tight to Gyosou as tears threatened to flow. The man moved him into his arms. "Shh…I've got you Taiki…"

'But who has Houki now?' He thought.

Elsewhere over the sea of Japan

"What a storm…." James Potter stated as he peered outside the magical ship. It was a cruise he'd promised his beloved wife for their anniversary. She smiled placidly at him, still a little sea sick. Her red hair stuck to her face horribly as the young mother bit down the coils of the uneasy stomach. Neither one noticed a shinning golden orb fly straight there in the flat recesses. James merely smiled again at his beautiful wife. "I love you Lily." He stated in a smooth voice and she responded by stating the same.

7 years later

"And thus Houki, at the time the current ranka of Hou was lost to the lesser world…Taiki too was last less than a 5 more months of that time. We mourned both and now must continue the search for one." Shurei, the former princess of Hou, explained to the new Queen of Kei as the red headed lady sat there, taking in the explination slowly.

"How horrible…To loose two kirin in one year….But why hasn't Houki been found yet?" She pondered aloud never knowing that in another country, curled in a tiny ball and sleeping with tears rolling down his eyes sick from blood spilt that the subject of the story just told to her was silently wishing someone would find him.

TBC…

A life no six year old should lead. A promise broken by ambitions of good and evil. A lost chance and a discovery made new. Running from the darkness into the light. Next Chapter: The Storm of Shadows, Light of Two Worlds Chapter 2.

Author's Notes:

Kay, so if you saw after a word or term, I'm going to explain a the very bottom of this page. Right now, I just wanted to give you a head's up. The above preview was written similar to TK anime previews. I hope you enjoyed the story so far. We'll see where it keeps going.

--sennin—This is a term used for humans who become immortal or are as close to the gods as they can get. They can't be killed by normal means, save the loosing of the head or cutting their body in half. Most of the rulers and known immortals are sennin.

--Nyokai—This is the demon woman born to care for an infant kirin and take care of all tasks. They are always born a teenager or older and are more attached to the kirin than anyone. They are with the kirin in everything, even death. After they die, the Nyokai are said not to last more than a month—if not the moment of their death. Nyokai are very protective and have been known to kill for words said to kirin.

--Nyosen—These are the sennin women who are taken from the lower world of the Twelve Kingdoms, and upon occasion other worlds, who have shown such dedication and promise as to become immortal attendants to the kirin. Fiercly protective, they are like a multiple set of mothers for the youthful kirins, but they have more power over the kirin than Nyokai. They obey one goddess and serve all gods and rulers when they visit.

--ranka—this is the term used for a fruit from a tree that gives birth. There are many types of ranka but only 12 ranka come from the tree that Keiki, Taiki and the others were born upon.

--Tai-O—This is the proper way to address the ruler of a kingdom. IT will be used more often than saying "King Ryuu or King En" as it is easier. It basically means Ruler of whatever country within the start.

Well that's the first chapter. Hope you liked it. Ciao for now!