United in Battle

Chapter 11

The silver ship flew low over the planet. Coruscant. Home of the Republic, the morons of the Galactic Senate, and the noble Jedi. Tori stared out at the city planet. She heard Ric telling Anakin all about the how the planet started out like Naboo and wound up becoming one big city. She turned slightly as the door to the cockpit slid open. She smiled as Sessho-Maru, her mate, and Qui-Gon Jinn stepped into the cockpit. She admired the way her mate moved as he came towards her.

"How are you feeling?" Sessho-Maru wrapped his arm around her waist.

Tori shrugged. "I'm fine."

"If we are to go into battle, I want you to remain hidden." Sessho-Maru nuzzled her neck slightly.

"I understand." Tori nodded as she turned back to the window in the cockpit. "Your senses are really going to be going haywire when we get down there."

"As long as you are with me, I will be fine." Sessho-Maru noticed that the ship had started to land.

Ric pointed out the window. "It looks like Senator Palpatine is here to meet us."

Tori looked down at the platform and frowned when she saw the man in question climbing from his speeder. He looked like someone that she had dreamed about days ago. She shivered slightly as if she had been doused with a bucket of ice water. Sessho-Maru's amber eyes followed Tori's gaze and he saw Palpatine standing on the platform. Tori watched the old man walk toward the landing ship.

"I don't trust him." Tori's voice barely carried above a whisper.

Sessho-Maru smoothed a hand across her shoulders. "Easy, my mate."

Tori let out the breath she'd been holding as they were introduced to the Senator from Naboo. She sensed something really off about this man but didn't know what it was. Lily, James, Sirius, and Remus noticed that she refused to touch his hand and they grew worried that she was going to do something very dangerous. Sessho-Maru and Inu-Yasha also sensed the danger of the man before them even though they showed him the respect he had earned over the years. Koga barely contained his growl as he bowed to the man. Miroku and Sango had to tighten their hold on Kirara to prevent her from jumping at the Senator. The Jedi noticed that their new friends were reacting strangely to Palpatine and decided that it was best to get them to the Temple.

"Senator Palpatine, we must go to the Temple now. I have to inform the Jedi Council of what has happened." Qui-Gon gave the Senator a quick bow before ushering the group into one of the speeders.

Tori scrambled into the seat as Sessho-Maru cast one last look at Palpatine. He knew that his mate was worried about something and he was going to find out what. Obi-Wan guided the speeder through the traffic and buildings. Lily was amazed that this planet didn't seem to contain any forms of plant or animal life that had been here originally. James and Sirius had their heads together with Miroku and Koga. Tori sat as stiff as a board between Inu-Yasha and Sessho-Maru. Remus and Sango were trying to keep everyone calm and in the speeder.

"What the bloody hell is going on, Tor? You sure didn't like that Palpatine guy." Sirius had turned himself around to look at Tori.

"Sirius, you certainly do have a way with words." Tori closed her eyes for a moment. "It's just he reminded me of someone I saw in a dream days ago. I don't know why but I don't trust him."

"There must be a reason, Lady Tori." Qui-Gon had also turned around in his seat to look at Tori.

"That's what I'm trying to remember. I just don't trust him, Master Qui-Gon." Tori flopped back in her seat. I wish I knew why I hated him on sight.

Sessho-Maru knew that his mate was upset so he nuzzled her neck slightly and tried to get her to relax. Inu-Yasha looked like he was about to gag while Lily curled into James's shoulder. Miroku pulled Sango toward him while Qui-Gon watched the Jedi Temple rise into view. He saw Yoda and Mace Windu coming down the stairs to meet them. Obi-Wan maneuvered the speeder to land gently beside the stairs and the two Jedi Masters. Tori untangled herself from Sessho-Maru as Inu-Yasha bounded from the speeder. Two small blurs flew down the stairs and past the Jedi Masters. Inu-Yasha knelt down and caught Shippo while Rin jumped into Sessho-Maru's arms. Tori scrambled from the speeder while Miroku helped Sango out. James, Remus, Sirius, and Lily watched the two demons with their children. Kirara looked up the stairs and saw the large cat creature coming down them. She transformed into her full form, intent on protecting the children and her mistress. Rin struggled slightly in Sessho-Maru's arms until her put her down. She went to Kitty's side and petted her head.

"Did you leave your kittens alone, Kitty?" Rin scratched her behind the ears.

The cat-creature purred gently. No, I left them with the Jedi Council, little one. I wanted to see your family.

"What did she say, Shippo?" Rin turned to the Shippo who was still perched on Inu-Yasha's shoulder.

"She left the kittens with the Council. She wanted to meet our families." Shippo jumped onto Kirara's back. "It's okay, Kirara. Kitty has been protecting us since we found her."

Kirara meowed once and waited for Shippo to jump from her back before changing back into her smaller form. Yoda watched in silence while Qui-Gon moved forward to scoop up Kirara.

Master Windu turned to everyone. "Welcome to the Jedi Temple."

Tori stepped forward and bowed deeply as Qui-Gon had shown her before they landed. "We are honored to be here, Master Jedi."

"Come. Hungry you are." Yoda started up the many stairs to the Temple door.

Inu-Yasha leaned toward Sessho-Maru. "Do you think he'd be mad if I carried him to the top? I'm starving."

Yoda had heard this and moved closer to Inu-Yasha. He whacked Inu-Yasha's shins causing him to yelp in surprise. "Carry me you may. Hungry I am."

"Good." Inu-Yasha picked up the little green alien and placed him on his shoulder before bounding up the steep steps.

Master Windu offered his arm to Tori who looked back at Sessho-Maru. Once she had her mate's permission, she looped her arm with the Jedi and allowed him to lead her up the stairs. Sessho-Maru was right behind her. Miroku scooped up Shippo while Sirius swung Rin onto his shoulders making the girl squeal with delight. Qui-Gon carried Kirara up the stairs and Sango walked beside him while the cat creature, that Shippo and Rin had so lovingly called Kitty, walked beside her. Lily walked beside James, who had his arm wrapped around her waist. Remus shook his head slightly as he and Obi-Wan brought up the rear of the group with Koga. They followed Inu-Yasha, with Yoda perched on his shoulder, to the cafeteria to eat lunch. Qui-Gon explained that they would talk to the Jedi Council after the meal.

Tori looked around the cafeteria at the various beings gathered. She noticed several of the Padawans coming over to their table to sit with Shippo and Rin. Sessho-Maru saw his mate smile softly as Rin joked with several of the Padawans. Shippo was sneaking bits of meat under the table to Kitty and Kirara. Yoda ignored him doing this since he was doing the same. Master Windu watched the demons, demon slayer, monk, cop, and wizards interact with the Jedi and each other. He would have sworn that these people had known each other for years from the way they acted. Tori, Sango, and Lily actively took turns thumping Sirius, James, and Miroku up side their heads when the men misbehaved. Sessho-Maru, Koga, and Inu-Yasha discussed training techniques with Obi-Wan, Yoda, Qui-Gon and himself while Remus interjected random pieces of information from his point of view.

Master Windu watched the Padawans leaving the room. "I believe that we should head to the Council Room and hear everything that has happened on your mission." He climbed to his feet.

Tori climbed to her feet as Sessho-Maru climbed to his feet and adjusted the swords tied to his waist. "Of course, Master Windu."

Inu-Yasha jumped to his feet as James pulled Lily to her feet. Remus scooped up Rin and tickled her before placing her onto his shoulders while Koga walked beside him. Shippo scrambled onto Kitty's back while Sirius moved to walk between James and Miroku. Lily and Sango took up positions beside Tori as they moved out of the cafeteria. The group made their way down the corridor to the lifts that would take them to the top floor that contained the Council Room.

Yoda looked up at Tori and Sessho-Maru once the lift doors closed. "Mates you are?"

"Yes, Master Yoda. We became mates before we left Tatooine." Tori blushed slightly as Sessho-Maru wrapped his right arm around her waist and pulled her back into his chest.

"Arranged for you quarters will be." Yoda nodded once as the lift doors whooshed open.

Tori stepped from the lift and followed the tiny Jedi down the corridor to the Council Room. Sessho-Maru was a step behind her. Master Windu opened the doors before turning to the group.

"We will speak to Master Jinn and his Padawan first. When they are finished we will discuss your dilemma." Master Windu motioned to several chairs outside the Council Room doors. "Please wait here."

"Of course, Master Windu." Sessho-Maru sank into one of the chairs before pulling Tori into his lap.

Remus sank into a chair across from Sessho-Maru and Tori before placing Rin on her feet. Rin ran to Tori who pulled her up into her lap. Shippo jumped from Kitty's back as four tiny kittens scurried into the corridor. Remus knelt on the floor and scooped one up while Miroku, James, and Sirius watched Kitty place one of the kittens on Tori's free leg. Lily sat on the floor beside Sango and watched Kirara play gently with the remaining kittens. Koga leaned against the wall watching everyone relaxing. He had a feeling that the Jedi would know how to get them home.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Qui-Gon stood next to Obi-Wan in the exact center of the room. Around the room, twelve Jedi Masters sat in their assigned chairs. Yoda and Master Windu sat side by side. Beside them was Ki-Adi-Mundi, a Jedi Knight from the planet of Cerea. Adi Gallia was seated in her seat beside him while Depa Billaba lounged in her seat across the way. Plo Koon's mask sounded loud in the quiet of the Council Room. Eeth Koth was speaking softly with Even Piell who rivaled Yoda and Yaddle in stature. Yarael Poof and Oppo Ranicisis relaxed in their seats as they waited for the debriefing to begin. Saesee Tiin watched Qui-Gon for any signs of fatigue from his mission. Yaddle looked like a female version of Yoda.

"Begin you may." Yoda leaned forward on his stick slightly.

Qui-Gon bowed deeply before taking a deep breath and beginning his tale. "We went to Naboo as ordered by the Council but were unable to negotiate a treaty between the Trade Federation and the people of Naboo. Once we were in the Federation's conference room they tried to kill us with dioxin gas."

"They tried to kill you?" Ki-Adi-Mundi leaned forward slightly.

"Yes. We escaped into the ventilation system and that is where we met our new... allies. We separated and went down to Naboo. Once there we fought through the droids to rejoin as a large group. We met one of the Gungans, Jar Jar Binks. He took us to the Gungan city. Once there we obtained a transport and made our way to the city of Theed. We rescued the Queen and escaped from the Trade Federation. Unfortunately, the hyperdrive was damaged as we were escaping. A decision was made to land on Tatooine to obtain the parts we needed and repair the ship. I took a small group with me to the nearby spaceport. That was where we met young Anakin Skywalker. He offered to race in a podrace that was happening in two days."

Adi Gallia gaped at Qui-Gon. "You allowed a boy to race in a podrace? No human has ever done that before."

"He had been racing for while. This was the first race he ever finished, let alone win." Qui-Gon watched the Council for a minute.

"Who went with you into the spaceport?" Plo Koon's voice sounded distorted through his mask.

"Lord Sessho-Maru, Lady Tori Amherst, Inu-Yasha, the monk, Miroku, Remus Lupin, Jar Jar Binks, one of the Queen's handmaidens, Padme Amidala, and a droid, R2-D2. We met Koga at the junk shop and later at the Skywalker home. He was well known there. Once we had fixed up the podracer, Miroku returned to the ship and Sirius Black joined the group."

"I take it that these people were able to keep things in line for the race?" Eeth Koth leaned forward slightly in his seat.

"Yes. Sirius and Remus put some protection spells onto the racer so that Anakin wouldn't be hurt." Qui-Gon had tucked his hands into the wide sleeves of his robes.

"Then you managed to keep the Queen safe from all danger." Saesee Tiin leaned back in his seat slightly. "Tell us about the man that attacked you as you left Tatooine."

"I believe he is a follower of the Sith. He was well trained in the ways of the Force. If he could have killed me and Obi-Wan I feel that our new allies would have done anything to stop him."

"Do you say this as a fact or a wish, Qui-Gon?" Master Windu pressed the tips of his fingers together.

"As a fact. Lord Sessho-Maru and Inu-Yasha were waiting for any signs of Anakin and myself returning to the ship. When they saw the battle they rushed to our aid. Inu-Yasha took Anakin back to the ship. They returned with the ship so that Lord Sessho-Maru and I could escape from our attacker."

Yoda leaned forward slightly on his staff. "Done well you have." He watched as Obi-Wan bowed and started to leave the Council Room only to return to his position behind Qui-Gon. "Another question you have?"

"It's about the boy. He has the highest midi-chlorians that I have ever seen. The way he handled that racer was extraordinary. I believe he should be trained as a Jedi."

Yoda looked at Master Windu who nodded slightly. "Test him we will."

"Thank you, Master Yoda." Qui-Gon gave the Jedi Council a swift bow before following his Padawan out of the room.

Master Windu waited until the doors had closed behind Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan before turning to the rest of the Council. "I believe these people may help with the war that is brewing on Naboo."

"They wish to return home. They have families that are waiting for them. Those children have mothers waiting for them." Adi Gallia crossed her arms and waited for the rest of the Council to come to a decision.

"She's right. From what I have seen since I returned late last evening, the children that have resided here have learned a great deal. We must think of their best interest. They will need our help to return to their world." Saesee Tiin looked around at the nodding Jedi Masters. "I shall research a way for them to return to their world." He climbed to his feet. "There is no need for me to hear their tale."

"The Trade Federation brought them here to our galaxy. We must return them to theirs." Yarael Poof watched as several of the other Council members nodded in agreement and Saesee Tiin sat back down.

"Stay they must." Yaddle tapped her staff onto the floor in front of her seat. "Return them when we can."

"Then we are agreed. They will stay." Master Windu climbed to his feet. "I believe that we should hear their story first before we tell them our decision." He opened the door to find most of the group sitting on the floor.

Tori was still in Sessho-Maru's lap but she was sound asleep. Everyone else was playing with the tiny kittens on the floor. Remus looked up when he heard the door open.

"Are you ready for us now?" Remus climbed to his feet.

"Yes. Please come in as soon as you are presentable." Master Windu cast a look at Tori still curled up in Sessho-Maru's lap.

"I will wake my mate." Sessho-Maru nuzzled Tori's neck slightly as Master Windu closed the door to the Council Room.

Tori jerked slightly since she was not used to be woken in such a manner. Her eyes landed on the silvery mane of her mate. She stretched slightly as she straightened in her comfortable seat. "Waking me up?"

"Yes. The Jedi are ready to speak with us." Sessho-Maru lifted Tori and placed her on her feet.

Tori straightened her clothes as Sango and Lily climbed to their feet and did the same. Remus waved his wand at the women and all the wrinkles in their clothes disappeared. Sirius and James simply ran their fingers through their hair trying to make it lie flat. Inu-Yasha shook out his fire-rat robes before turning to make sure that Shippo was presentable. Sessho-Maru knelt next to Rin and straightened her kimono. Sango scooped Kirara up into her arms while Kitty gathered her kittens. Miroku shook out his robes while Koga straightened his fur wrap. Sessho-Maru wrapped his arm around Tori's waist before opening the door to the Council Room. The group calmly followed Sessho-Maru into the Council Room.

Saesee Tiin rose from his seat as did Oppo Ranicisis and Plo Koon. They bowed to Lily, Sango, and Tori as they motioned to their seats. "Please be seated, ladies."

Tori bowed to Saesee Tiin and sank into his seat. "Thank you, Master Jedi."

"I am Saesee Tiin. I will find a way to get you back to your home." Saesee Tiin bowed to Tori as Plo Koon bowed to Sango and moved to stand behind his seat.

Oppo Ranicisis bowed to Lily and moved to stand to the right of his seat. Saesee Tiin stood to the left of his seat. Rin walked over to Yoda and climbed up beside him. Yoda nodded slightly to Master Windu.

"Please explain to us how you came to be in our universe." Master Windu leaned back in his seat.

"Well..." Inu-Yasha stepped forward. "I was waiting for Kagome to return through the well when I noticed a strange looking akuma landing nearby. I gathered Sango, Shippo, Kirara, and Miroku and we went to investigate. What we found was a group of those stinking droids. We attacked knowing that we needed to protect the villagers. We did manage to destroy a few dozen before they started to get the better of us."

"That was when I arrived. I told Rin to hide in the bushes with Jaken. I started to help my brother defeat these droids that threatened my lands and my pack. As we battled, the demon slayer fell to the ground followed by the monk. Soon, the two-tail also fell. My brother and I fought to protect our friends but we also fell to the droids."

"I snuck on board the ship with children." Koga took a step forward. "I vowed to help Inu-Yasha and Lord Sessho-Maru by protecting Rin and Shippo. It seemed like we traveled for several days before the ship landed beside a beautiful lake."

"That's where we come in." James stepped forward. "Peter, Sirius, Lily, Remus, and I had decided to spend the day at Hagrid's. We took Vee to her job and then popped over to Hogwarts. We were attacked between the lake and the Forbidden Forest."

"How is a Forest forbidden?" Saesee Tiin tilted his head slightly.

"It's full of dark creatures, such as Acromantulas and werewolves. It's also home to centaurs, unicorns, and at least one griffin that we know about." Lily had pulled her feet up onto the chair and wrapped her arms around her knees.

"Acromantulas?" Plo Koon looked down at Lily.

"They're giant spiders. Some can even speak." Remus rubbed the back of his neck.

James cleared his throat. "Anyhow, we fought the droids and Peter managed to escape. Whether he got help to us in time or not, I don't know. Remus was the first to fall. I was trying to get to him when I saw Lily fall. I rushed to her side and was stunned as well."

"I told the droids to go to hell and started to rip them apart with my bare hands. They stunned me." Sirius shook his head.

"I guess that's where I pick up the story. I'm a single woman that terrifies men. I work as a Crime Scene Investigator for the local police. I was alone when the droids attacked me. Normally it takes a lot to get the jump on me. These droids managed to get me while I was cleaning up from a picnic. I was so shocked that I didn't even put up a fight."

"I decided to destroy one of the droids so that the people of her time would be able to have contact with her." Koga stepped forward as Tori relaxed in her seat. "I was the only one that hadn't been captured so I was free to move about the ship."

"What happened once you were captured, Lady Tori?" Saesee Tiin looked down at Tori lounging in his seat.

"I was taken to the bridge, I think. While I was there, those Trade Federation idiots said that they were going to turn all of us over to Darth Sidious after they took care of the Chancellor's ambassadors." Tori took a deep breath. "The droids took me to the cell. I noticed a cell full of strange weapons but didn't get to make much sense of it because they threw me into a cell with everyone else."

"You were kept together?" Adi Gallia leaned forward slightly.

Tori nodded slightly. "Morons. They thought that the group of us were too stupid to figure out how to get out of that cell."

"She insulted the men in the cell." Sirius grinned at the memory of Sessho-Maru ripping the panel from the wall.

"That was after Inu-Yasha and Sessho-Maru scared me to death." Tori glared at Sirius for a moment. "My jeans caught on a screw that was sticking out of the wall. I ripped a leg off the cot and started to pry the panel from the wall. That's when I questioned their manhood."

"I ripped the panel from the wall and glared at the one woman that would do as my mate." Sessho-Maru shared a small smile with Tori.

"Just as I reached into the gaping hole, I was flung back into Sessho-Maru. That's had to be when the Jedi's ship was destroyed." Tori glanced at Lily.

"We heard the blaster fire in the corridor. Tori tried to get the door to open but she was flung back again. That's when we heard Master Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan up in the ventilation shaft. Tori and Sessho-Maru got the Jedi's attention and they got us out of the cell. The rest you most likely know." Lily ran her hand through her auburn hair.

"Yes. Master Qui-Gon told us the rest of your tale." Adi Gallia looked from one member of the group to the next. "The children will remain here until the business with the Trade Federation is taken care of."

"Quarters you will have." Yoda nodded slightly as he looked down at Rin curled up on his chair. "Tired you must be. Rest you will."

Tori, Lily, and Sango climbed to their feet and bowed to the three Jedi that had given up their seats for three strangers. Sessho-Maru bowed slightly to Saesee Tiin in gratitude for taking care of his mate. James walked over to Yoda's chair and scooped a sleeping Rin up into his arms. He grinned as the little girl snuggled into his chest. Shippo jumped onto Sirius's shoulder as Inu-Yasha scooped Kirara up. Remus trailed behind Miroku and Sango as he followed the group out of the Council Room.

Adi Gallia waited for the door to close behind the strange group. "We must help them to return home."

Saesee Tiin nodded slightly as he resumed his seat. "I will begin my research this evening."

"Then it is decided. Until they return home, they are to be treated with respect that is given to Jedi Knights and Masters." Master Windu climbed to his feet and left the Council Room only to be followed by the rest of the Jedi Council.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tori felt Sessho-Maru's tail wrap itself around her waist. She looked up into his amber eyes. "What's up?"

"How are you feeling, my mate?" Sessho-Maru looked down into his tired mate's crystal blue eyes.

"I'm fine. Just a little sleepy." Tori leaned her head against Sessho-Maru's chest.

Sessho-Maru scooped Tori up into his arms and followed Qui-Gon to the quarters that the Council had assigned to them. James felt Rin snuggle closer to his shoulder as he grinned at Lily.

"Our kids are going to have the best dad in the world." Lily stood on her toes and kissed James's cheek.

"Is that a good thing?" Sirius ducked as Sango swung her fist at him.

James and Lily went with Shippo to his room so that they could put Rin in her own bed. Tori yawned as she and Sessho-Maru made their way to their own quarters. Miroku and Sango were in the room across the corridor from Tori and Sessho-Maru while Inu-Yasha was in the room to the right of them. Koga was going to occupy the room on the other side of Sango and Miroku while Sirius was in the room next to his. Remus was going to have the room to the left while Sirius was in the room the right of Sessho-Maru and Tori while James and Lily had the room across from him. Sessho-Maru wasted no time putting his mate into her bed.

"I want you to rest." Sessho-Maru pulled the covers up to Tori's chin.

Tori yawned again as she snuggled into the comfortable pillow under her head. "I'll rest but when I get up in the morning I want to contact Chief Raider."

"It will be arranged. I must tell Jaken to return to my castle and make preparations for my mate." Sessho-Maru kissed Tori's forehead as her eyes closed. Soft growls echoed through t he room. Rest, my mate.

Tori drifted off to sleep while Sessho-Maru joined the others out in the corridor. Lily and Sango both looked a little worried about Tori but neither felt that she should say anything about it. James and Sirius were discussing the upcoming negotiations with the Galactic Senate. Remus just shook his head while he followed Shippo toward the communications room. Koga and Inu-Yasha were trying to keep from killing each other on the way. Padawans bowed to the strange adults as they passed them in the corridors. One of the girls from Alderaan ran up to the group.

"Hey, Shippo. Can you come and play up in the gardens?" The little girl had long blonde hair that was tied back at the nape of her neck. Her blue eyes reminded Shippo of the woman that Lord Sessho-Maru seemed to love so dearly.

"Not right now, Andalina. I'm suppose to show my friends to the communication room." Shippo looked down at his paw like feet.

"Perhaps you'd like to come with us, kid?" Inu-Yasha looked down at the bright smile that graced the girl's face.

"Yes, Master." Andalina quickly bowed and took up a position next to Shippo.

"I ain't no master. Call me Inu-Yasha." Inu-Yasha rolled his amber eyes as his brother managed to keep from laughing at him.

"Yes, Master Inu-Yasha." Andalina bowed slightly.

Inu-Yasha rolled his eyes as the Padawan walked beside Shippo. Lily and Sango walked on either side of the children while the men seemed to hang back near each other. Sessho-Maru kept looking back toward their quarters. Lily happened to glance over her shoulder and saw Sessho-Maru's worried look. She took a small step to her left and waited until most of the group had passed her. As Sessho-Maru started to pass her she laid a hand on his silk encased arm.

"Can I talk to you for a minute?" Lily noticed the others had also stopped. "We won't be but a moment."

Sessho-Maru led Lily to one of the chairs that seemed to be everywhere in the Jedi Temple. "What do you wish to know?"

"I wanted to know if you noticed that Tori has been getting tired a bit faster lately."

"Yes, I did. She is the mate of an akuma and will need her rest for a while." Sessho-Maru laid a hand on Lily's shoulder. "Do not worry about her. That is what happens when a human mates with an akuma."

Lily nodded before looking to see which way the others had gone. "I can't believe they went on without us."

"I will find them." Sessho-Maru knelt slightly beside Lily. "Climb onto my back."

Lily hesitated a moment before climbing onto Sessho-Maru's back. Sessho-Maru hooked his arms under her knees and raced down the hall. At the intersection, Sessho-Maru paused for a moment before taking the left corridor. He came to a graceful stop before the communications room and knelt so that Lily could climb from his back.

"Now I see why Tori likes to ride that way." Lily stretched her legs slightly as Sessho-Maru raised one of his elegant eyebrows. "It's a lot faster than walking."

Sessho-Maru nodded before walking over to the door and watching it slide open. He bowed slightly. "After you, Lady Lily."

"Thank you, milord." Lily gave a quick bow before walking into the communications room.

James looked up from the panel of screens and buttons that he was itching to try. "There you are. Is everything okay?"

"Everything is fine." Sessho-Maru stepped into the room. "I suggest that we contact our allies that were left behind."

"Right." Remus turned to look at the panel of buttons. "Now, how do we work this thing?"

Adi Gallia and Yoda stepped into the room. "Perhaps we can be some help."

"Thank you, Merlin. I really didn't want the computers to blow up because of them." Lily jerked her thumb at James, Sirius, and Inu-Yasha.

"Bad that would be." Yoda nodded as he climbed onto one of the chairs and started to push several buttons. "Begin we will with Lord Sessho-Maru."

"My vassal is with Inu-Yasha's mate." Sessho-Maru knelt beside Yoda's chair. "That is where we will find him."

"Very well." Adi pushed several buttons. "You will have to go in there."

Sessho-Maru's eyes followed to the small room that Adi was pointing at. He nodded once and gathered Inu-Yasha, Miroku, and Sango together. Sango scooped Kirara into her arms as Miroku picked up Shippo and Sessho-Maru settled his tail across his shoulder. They stepped into the room and heard a slight humming noise.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Kagome turned slightly as the humming that usually came before a hologram filled the hut. "Ayame, Ginta, Hakkaku, Jaken, come on. There's a hologram coming in."

The three ookami-akumas and Jaken hurried into the hut as a hologram appeared over the droid.

"Lord Sessho-Masu." Jaken fell to the feet of the hologram.

"Jaken. You are to go to my castle and ready it for my mate and daughter." Sessho-Maru's face was impassive.

Jaken looked scared as he looked up at Sessho-Maru. "M-m-mate, milord?"

"Did I stutter, Jaken?"

"No milord. It will be done as you say." Jaken bowed low again before hurrying out the door of the hut.

"At least we're rid of that little toad for a while." Kagome looked up at Sessho-Maru. "What's going on, Lord Sessho-Maru?"

"You met my mate the last time you spoke to my brother."

Kagome thought back to the last time she had spoken to anyone of her friends. "Oh! The girl with the blonde hair. She seemed like a handful."

"She is but she is able to keep my brother in line as well as Jaken." Sessho-Maru turned slightly. "I will allow you to speak to my brother."

Inu-Yasha stepped into the hologram as Sessho-Maru moved out of it. "I still can't believe that he has taken a human as his mate."

"At least they'll be happy, Inu-Yasha." Kagome stepped closer to the hologram. "Was there anything you wanted to tell me?"

"I miss you."

"I miss you too."

"Oh yeah, the monk got it through his head to stop flirting with other women."

"Really? How?" Kagome grinned as Miroku and Sango stepped into the hologram.

"Sirius and James took it upon themselves to have a little talk with me. They told me to tell Sango that I love her and to watch it around other women." Miroku wrapped his arm around Sango's waist.

"That and Veronica threatened to hurt him if he ever did it again." Sango leaned into Miroku's embrace.

Shippo hopped onto the monk's shoulder. "They're making me sick with all the lovey-dovey stuff going on."

"You'll have to deal with it, Shippo." Kagome smiled at her adopted son. "Are you behaving for the Jedi?"

"Sure am. They've taught me how to fight with a sword and how to meditate."

"Good. It'll help when you come back here. Naraku has been too quiet lately."

"So there haven't been any shard rumors?" Inu-Yasha's ears twitched slightly.

Kagome shook her head. "Sorry, Inu-Yasha. I've been hoping to hear something but nothing has been happening since you left."

"Hey, Mutt Face! Can I talk with Ayame now?" Koga's voice floated through the hologram.

"I guess so, you flea bitten wolf." Inu-Yasha gave Kagome one last smile before stepping from the hologram.

Koga stepped into the hologram as Ayame stepped up next to Kagome. "Hey, Ayame."

"Koga." Ayame crossed her arms as she glared at the love of her life.

"I just want you to know that when we get back, I'm going to make you my mate." Koga kicked the ground softly.

"Do you mean it, Koga?" Ayame looked hopeful. She had heard him say all this before so she wanted make sure she wasn't dreaming it.

"I mean it. I spent a lot of time with Shmi and she once told me that I should keep my promise that I made all those years ago." Koga watched as tears raced down Ayame's cheeks. "There's no need to get so emotional, Ayame."

"If I get emotional, it's because I'm so happy, baka!" Ayame cried some more as the hologram began to flicker. "Don't go just yet."

"I have to. My other pack mates have to contact their families." Koga blew Ayame a kiss before the hologram flickered out of sight.

Ayame turned to Kagome. "Can you believe it? I'm going to be his mate."

"The two of you are going to be so happy together, Ayame." Kagome wrapped her arms around the crying girl.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Veronica walked along the edge of the lake as she thought about her friends that were still gone. Just a week earlier news had come of an attack at Abbotsbury. Thankfully no one was killed during that attack that they knew of. Rumor had it that someone was hiding something that Voldemort wanted. Veronica didn't believe it. There had to be something more behind the attack. Veronica watched the sun setting over the lake and sighed deeply. She missed her friends and wanted them here to help her with the decision that she still had to make. She felt something rubbing her leg. She looked down at the griffin that she had freed back in her fifth year of school.

"What do you want, Buster?" Veronica reached down to rub the griffin's ears. "You miss them, too, don't you?" Buster shrieked once as Veronica sat on the cool grass to pet her friend. "If I do decide to leave, I want you to stay in the Forest and help the centaurs. They're not going to want to get involved but they're going to have to. Magorian is keeping something for me. I think it has something to do with the Founders but he won't tell me, Buster. Just do your best to keep him and the others in the Forest safe."

Buster rubbed his face into Veronica's as tears ran down her cheeks. He turned as Dumbledore came near the crying woman. His tail whipped to one side as a signal that someone was with them. Veronica looked up at her old headmaster.

"Miss Croft, I believe another message is coming in." Dumbledore held out a hand and helped Veronica to her feet.

Veronica started to move forward when a talon ripped the hem of her jeans. She looked down at the griffin. "Go into the Forest and find yourself something to eat, Buster. I'll be fine." She watched as the little griffin bounded into the Forbidden Forest. "Let's go."

Veronica and Dumbledore hurried into the castle and made their way down to the dungeon that held the droid that they had found. The humming noise was getting louder as they approached the room. Veronica shoved open the heavy wooden door to see her friends standing in the hologram.

"It's about time you showed up, Vee." Sirius shook his head slightly.

"Shove it, Siri." Veronica grinned. They still used the nicknames that they had since second year together. At least whenever they joked with each other. "Merlin knows I'm glad to see the lot of you."

"We missed you too, Veronica." Lily smiled brightly as James pulled her closer to him. "This one has been an idiot."

"What else is new?" Veronica raised an eyebrow at her friend.

"Sango and Miroku got together thanks to the little talk that you gave him the other night." Lily grinned as she glanced behind her.

"I hope they are very happy together. When the bloody hell are the four of you coming home?" Veronica crossed her arms angrily.

"Don't know." James shrugged slightly. "One of the Jedi Masters said that he would look into it for us. He hopes to have a way home for us soon."

"Good. I'm getting tired of beating up Peter for being a coward." Veronica gave them a soft smile.

"Have your claws dug in any more?" Sirius wiggled his eyebrows.

Veronica scowled as she shook her head. "He hasn't been around. It's like he's hiding from me."

"Maybe he is, love." Remus winked at her.

It thrilled her to her core whenever Remus did something like that. "I've got some other news for you guys."

"Oh yeah? What?" James cocked his head at his adopted sister.

"There was an attack on Abbotsbury just last week." She watched Lily pale slightly. "What's wrong, Lils?"

"My grandparents live in Abbotsbury." Lily swiped at the tears streaking down her face.

"Shit." Veronica turned slightly only to see Dumbledore's robes whip out of sight as he ran out the door. "Dumbledore's on it. Voldemort may be trying to take out your family, Lils."

"Damn it all to bloody hell!" Sirius slammed his right fist into his left hand. "I wish we had a few of these Jedi to help take care of that arsehole."

"Calm down, Padfoot." Sirius's eyes whipped over to find Veronica pacing the stone floor. "I think I've got an idea. I'll send Griff to your parents, Lils. He'll at least be able to protect them for a while. Buster's too big to send even though he's just a cub." She looked over at James and Sirius to find their mouths gaping wide open. "By the way, Buster misses the two of you. He really likes chasing you both."

Remus leaned back slightly and nodded as Yoda's voice floated out to Veronica. "End your message you must."

Veronica watched as small green alien stepped into the hologram. It looked a bit like a house-elf except he was about a foot taller than one. "Who the hell is that?"

"Master Yoda I am." Yoda bowed to Veronica as she bowed back to him. His eyes closed as she watched him. "Hidden you will be. Have a child you will. Soon."

Veronica gave Yoda a deep bow as he started out of the hologram. "Thank you, Master Yoda." She looked at her friends starting to fade away slightly. "Contact me as soon as you can, guys."

"As soon as we're able we'll contact you again, love." Remus blew Veronica a kiss as he faded from sight.

Dumbledore hurried back into the room as the last of the hologram faded. "I tried to get news as soon as I could."

"Abbotsbury?"

"I'm afraid Miss Evans's grandparents are dead. They were found in the rubble of their house this morning." Dumbledore laid a hand on Veronica's shoulder.

Veronica shrugged his hand from her shoulder. "You should have made sure that no one we knew was there. Lily's going to be crushed the next time I talk to her." Veronica ran out of the room.

She ran up the stairs and out into the dying sunlight. With one last look at the dying sun, she stalked into the Forbidden Forest to find her griffin and her phoenix.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Sessho-Maru watched as Lily, James, Sirius, and Remus stepped from the hologram room. He smelled and saw the tears that ran down Lily's face. He knew that they had received news that no one was expecting. He moved gracefully past Inu-Yasha and Koga, who were arguing about some petty thing again.

Lily looked up at the demon lord and flung herself into his arms. "Oh, Lord Sessho-Maru!"

Sessho-Maru wrapped his right arm around Lily's shoulder and smoothed his left hand down Lily's soft auburn hair as he glanced over at James, Sirius, and Remus. "What news did you receive?"

"There was an attack in the village that Lily's grandparents lived in. We don't know if they made it." James watched as Lily continued to cry into Sessho-Maru's silk tunic.

"We will find out what happened, Lady Lily. I promise." Sessho-Maru held Lily as she cried herself to sleep.

James watched the akuma display the emotions that they had all thought he didn't have. He's come along way since he met Tori. James moved toward Sessho-Maru and Lily. "I'll take her to our room."

"I will take her." Sessho-Maru shifted Lily in his arms. "When I return we will discuss what is to be done about that fool that threatens my pack."

James, Sirius, and Remus watched the demon lord easily carry Lily out of the room. James turned back to his friends. "This war is starting to get me worried."

"I know what you mean. Who else is going to disappear or get attacked?" Sirius ran a hand through his hair."

"Help you we will." Yoda had moved from his chair and was now standing before Remus and James.

"We've got enough people willing to give up their lives without the Jedi getting involved." Remus stuck his right hand into his right pocket and fingered his picture. "Besides, if Veronica finds out about everyone wanting to get involved, she'd blame me for talking about her problems."

"Vee would understand. You know Dumbledore is going to want her to do something stupid." James squeezed Remus's shoulder.

"Like go into hiding." Sirius crossed his arms.

"We ain't going to let you go through this shit without us." Inu-Yasha tightened his grip on the Tetsusaiga as he watched his new friends.

"True this is." Yoda tapped his cane against Remus's foot.

"You don't understand the dangers that we're going to have to go through, Master Yoda." Remus sighed deeply as he sank into one of the empty chairs. "On our world there is a madman that is hunting the woman I love. He'll stop at nothing to have her."

"And if I know Vee, she's yelled at Dumbledore about not knowing if anyone's family lived in that town." Sirius dropped into one of the chairs as Sessho-Maru stepped back into the room.

"Really. She might do something about it. Like send the griffin." James leaned back against the wall.

Sessho-Maru looked at Remus. "Your mate has a griffin for a pet?"

"Not really a pet. She freed it, just like she did with the phoenix. It just stayed with her as her familiar. The phoenix she freed has been with her since after our second year." Remus ran a hand through his hair.

"Come to think of it. Griff and Buster have nothing to do with Peter." Sirius leaned forward slightly.

"Some animals can sense when someone is untrustworthy. Take Kitty and Kirara for instance. They both trust you all yet Kirara wouldn't allow Senator Palpatine to pet her. She knows that he is not to be trusted." Adi looked up from the panel before her. "You should listen to your animal friends. Just like the Jedi trust in the Force, you should trust in yourselves and your instincts."

"She's right. Vee's been telling us for years that she doesn't trust Peter. There's something about him that she doesn't like. She's been that way since she met him." Sirius rubbed the back of his neck.

"Right. Every time we ask her about it she can't tell us why." James looked around the room.

Remus scratched his chin. "I noticed the same thing about Tori. Remember when we met Senator Palpatine, Tori refused to shake his hand or even bow to him, yet she trusted Master Qui-Gon as soon as she met him."

"That was unusual." Koga nodded slightly. "I was reacting on her feelings about him."

"Same here." Inu-Yasha looked around at the others. "She knows something that we don't."

No one noticed when a Padawan opened the door and led Tori into the room. She had heard the last of the conversation. Now everyone was looking lost in their own thoughts. At least they're taking my fears seriously.

Sessho-Maru turned as he caught her scent. "My mate, you have awoken."

"Yeah. I figured that I would find the lot of you still here." Tori moved across the room to stand next to Sessho-Maru. "Can I contact the Chief now?"

"Of course." Adi motioned Tori into the holo-room. "Once you're in position, we'll start the transmission."

Tori nodded as she and Sessho-Maru stepped into the room. The humming filled their ears as a bright light flooded the room.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Garry Penn was rummaging under his desk when a humming noise made him jump. He banged his head on the underside of his desk before locating the noise. He saw the droid's lights starting to flicker to life once more. "Time to call the Chief." Garry flipped one of the switches beside his phone.

"This had better be good, Penn." Chief Raider's voice floated through the intercom.

Garry cleared his throat. "I thought you would like to know that Tori's contacting us again."

"I'm on my way." Static replaced Raider's voice.

Garry flipped the switch back into the off position just as the hologram finished taking shape. He saw Tori and the demon lord that had become her mate. They sure look cozy. I wonder why Tori looks so worried.

"Hey, Garry. Where's the Chief?" Tori watched her former colleague.

"He's on his way." Garry knew when Tori bit her bottom lip that there was something the she wanted to ask. "What do you need me to look up, Tor?"

"I want you to look up Voldemort. His base of operation was in England in 1968-1978. I don't know what you'll be able to find because he's a wizard but if you have to, contact the Ministry of Magic in England and see what they'll give." Tori snapped her fingers. "Better yet. Find a man named Albus Dumbledore. He was headmaster at that school you found on the droid."

"I'm on it. Anything else?"

"If you can't find Dumbledore, find Veronica Croft. She'll know more than anyone."

"Right." Garry turned slightly when he heard the door swing open. "Hi, Chief."

"Chief Raider." Tori smiled softly. "Has anything important happened since I've been gone?"

"Not really. Police Commissioner has been on my ass to find a way to get you home." Chief Raider leaned against Garry's desk.

Tori sighed softly. "I guess I should tell you that I won't be coming home."

"WHAT?!!"

"My place is in the Feudal Era with Lord Sessho-Maru." Tori looked up at Sessho-Maru.

"This was her decision not mine." Sessho-Maru landed a hand on Tori's shoulder. "She is my mate and belongs at my side."

"I don't give a rat's ass. Her father trusted me to keep her safe and you've...taken advantage of her." Chief Raider's face was turning purple in his anger.

"No he hasn't. I want to stay with him. Daddy would understand. He knew what true love was, after all he and mummy shared a deep love." The hologram started to fade. "If you can't be happy for me, then I won't be contacting you again."

"Tori!" Chief Raider jumped at the disappearing hologram. He slammed into the table that held the droid. "Damn it!" He twisted around to look at Garry. "Get her back!"

"Sorry, sir. I can't get the droid to make transmissions. We can only receive them." Garry backed away from the chief. He's pissed. I'm going to have to be very careful with my inquiries.

Chief Raider climbed wearily to his feet before making his way from the room. Who does that girl think she is? Her father asked me to watch out for her and keep any asshole from her money. I promised to protect her. I guess I screwed that up when I allowed her to live on her own. She's not going to live with that...thing.

Garry watched the chief leave the room before turning back to his computer and starting to type.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tori looked up at Sessho-Maru as they came back into the main room. "He took that well."

"He will learn to live with your decision, my mate. You and I belong together." Sessho-Maru gently rubbed her shoulder as they joined their friends.

James stretched slightly as he yawned. "I suppose we should head to bed now."

"That's a good idea." Remus climbed to his feet. "I'm exhausted."

"I suggest you get as much rest as you can." Qui-Gon stepped into the communications room. "The Queen is asking if Lady Tori would join her tomorrow when she speaks to the Senate about what the Trade Federation has done."

"I'll go but you know that Sessho-Maru is going to have to be there as well." Tori watched Qui-Gon nod slightly.

"But of course. Queen Amidala understands that Lord Sessho-Maru is your protector and mate. She said that she would be honored if he would also join you." Qui-Gon glanced at the demon lord. "I will take you to the Queen's chambers in the morning."

"Thank you, Master Qui-Gon." Tori bowed to the Jedi before he left the room. "Well, I guess we should go and get some sleep as well."

"Of course." Sessho-Maru turned to the rest of the pack. "We must all rest."

James, Sirius, Remus, Inu-Yasha, Koga, Shippo, Sango, and Miroku followed the demon lord out of the room and to the corridor that contained their quarters. They separated and drifted into their rooms. One by one they drifted off to sleep.