Full Summary: In modern Japan, it is well known that Youkai and magical powers are only fiction, stories to simply spice up children's imagination. For the most part that is true. Anything magical has left the modern world, lost in history like many things to human kind. However, few artifacts survived the course of time, ancient magic still coursing strongly into their very core. Shukumeisaiga was one such item, a sword held for generations in the possession of the Hinode family, destined to one day fall into the hands of one girl who would change past, present and future.

Pairing(s): Sesshoumaru/OC (further pairings up to debate, suggestions are appreciated).

Disclaimer: I own nothing but the clothes on my back as well as this OC which came to me as I was fighiting my writer's block.

Warning: Rated T for safety. Rating might go up depending how far I'll go with this story.

A/N: So I was having write's block... I kinda still have it honestly, but this story came into my mind and i HAD TO WRITE IT screw writer's block to hell and back. It was difficult I must admit. I rewrote the beginning three times, deleted many scenes and... it was tiresome. But in the end I did finish it. The first chapter at least haha. Hopefully I did it at least a bit justuce.

Enjoy~

Edit 02/12/2017: I finally came around to edit this... And I changed stuff hahahahahahaha... *cough* For one it's longer, it should have FAR less grammatical errors and I added like... a whole new part glacing a bit deeper in Shion's life and relationships. Also the history of Shukumeisaiga has been changed. I apologize for the inconvience, but I believe now the story sound that much better!


Chapter 1: Thrown into the unknown

"M… My name is Hanabi Kinomoto, first year in Class E. I just wanted to tell you… that… that… I like you Hinode-senpai! Please go out with me!"

In the back of the schoolyard an innocent confession was happening, a usual occurrence in high school. The girl confessing that day was very pretty, with wavy blond hair and soft brown eyes. She kept her head down, her cheeks painted in a faint blush as she held her love letter in front of the one whom had stolen her heart.

Black short hair whisked to the side, eyes equally as dark, the pupil almost invisible from normal sight and a skin complexion so fair, the receiver of her love was a sight many girls would swoon for. And if the rumors were to be trusted, it was not just the appearance, but also the kind personality which made Shion Hinode so popular with the female population.

However, there was one catch.

"I can't accept your feelings Kinomoto-san" Shion said awkwardly.

"I'm… not interested in girls…"

That's right, Shion Hinode, despite being on top of the chart for most handsome, had absolutely no interest in the female population.

Why do you ask?

Simple.

Because she herself was a girl and despite her boyish appearance, her preference in love was still with the opposite sex.

The girl confessing looked surprised. She had expected to be rejected of course. Someone as handsome as Shion probably got confessed every other hour with girls that much prettier than her. But that certainly had not been the reason she had awaited.

"Senpai, you are gay?"

Shion laughed at that proclamation, having been told that many times before. However, with how wide the girl's eyes seemed to go, she probably understood that Shion indeed was not gay, her melodic laughter unveiling the truth.

"Senpai… you're a girl…"

She simply gave the girl an apologetic smile, the blush on her face now not due to love but due to embarrassment. She couldn't really blame the girl, despite it being rare a school in Japan to not have uniforms, Fukui High was one of the few which did not make it mandatory to wear high school uniforms.

Therefore, not many could distinguish her true gender with her boyish clothes. Such was the curse… or was it a blessing?... of androgyny. Maybe she should have let her hair to grow out? Maybe then people wouldn't mistake her true gender. But then again, she was a practical kind of person, long hair would simply get in the way. She'd leave the dresses and jewelry for when the time called for it. And seeing as she avoided those occasions like the plague, those particular items would have to stay hidden behind a closet catching dust.

After an awkward goodbye, because apparently no one at her school cared to inform the first years that yes, she did have indeed a vagina, and several love letters later, school for the day was finally over.

"So, I heard you got confessed again?" snickered a slender guy (with a very questionable fashion sense) as he caught up to Shion.

She glared at him, his leopard printed clothes causing her to cringe even further.

"Ha, Ha, Kazuki. Obviously, the school gets a kick out of me getting confessed by first year girls. Every damn year! I mean, come on, I know my style is not particularly feminine, but do I really look that much like a dude?"

Kazuki proceeded to laugh his ass off.

"Fuck off." She said halfheartedly, fastening her pace. Kazuki was left to hold his laughter and run after her.

"Do you know how jealous the guys in out school are? You practically get all the girls which I find hilarious by the way. This is just perfect!"

"Oh, shut up. You only say that because you're interests lie in gawking at the asses of guys while in the changing room. Or more specifically, gawking at Plushenko's ass." A smirk apparent on her lips.

Katsuki laughed awkwardly.

"Is it that obvious?"

"The moment he transferred from Russia, you've been doing nothing but going on and on about how beautiful his sparkling sky-blue eyes are and his blond hair which shines just as bright as the sun is sooooo divine and what did you say about his accent? That he spoke in the sinful tongue of the god of seduction?"

Sweat started pouring down his forehead.

"Yeah, Kazu-chan. You're really obvious." A tiny laugh escaping Shion.

"Anyways, let's hurry up, we have Kendo practice and grandpa will hand you ass over."

"Just mine?"

"Yes, because I'm his granddaughter and favorite student so I can afford to be late."

"So unfair!"

"Life ain't fair" She stuck her tongue out.

If anyone would ask Shion what Kendo meant for her, she would reply without a doubt that Kendo was her life. Her passion. Everything that she had invested in her life resolved around this sport. And it did not help that her family (well mostly her grandfather, her father not particularly fond of this sport unlike his late wife) was made out of Kendo fanatics which also owned a dojo which taught this particular sport. Though not very popular, it did have a decent number of participants. Kazuki was one of those practitioners (and it was in this way that they had met and formed a bond so tight, one would believe that they were more than simple friends, if not for the fact that Kazuki's interest's lay in the opposite direction).

This dojo was her grandfather's pride and joy and one day it would be hers to inherit and continue its ways.

However, unlike the usual practice days she would spend in the dojo, today she had decided; she would finally take her final test. Today she would challenge her master and earn the title of true swordswoman. And at last, hopefully inherit the family heirloom Shukumeisaiga. A sword which had been in her family's possessions since the feudal era.

Of course, that all depended if she beat her master. At failure, she would have to try again next year. However, if her master would be unable to accept her challenge, she would be forced to search for another Dan level swordsman to fulfil her dreams and wishes.

She hoped that would not be the case.

But she had no intention of failing. Swordsmanship was in her blood, everyone knew she was a prodigy in that field. Kendo wasn't just a sport she did out of familial obligations. She could have backed out just as her father had. It wasn't just a sport she was good at. She had worked hard to get the skills she now possessed, and it was time to prove herself that kenjutsu was indeed her future. Her destiny.

As she opened the door to her ancestral home, Kazuki following close, her already beating heart increased in speed, excitement and nervousness doing funny things in her stomach.

"GRANDPA I'M HOME!"

A muffled reply came from where the dojo, a confirmation that grandpa Hinode had indeed heard the arrival of his granddaughter.

Kazuki however, noticed the nervousness that had started to grip the girl and did not hesitate to ask.

"Everything ok?"

She looked at him, biting her lip. The decision she had made was a big one… and she had yet to tell Kazuki about it. They did not hold any secrets from one another but… She had kept it to herself, worried that she might back out after all.

But she knew… She was surer than ever. This was her decision and she would go through it.

"I'm challenging grandpa today."

His eyes widened, realization hitting immediately.

"T… Today?!"

She nodded.

"Why didn't you tell me!" The hurt on his face piercing through Shion's heart.

"I… ugh… I… I was nervous ok! I wasn't sure if I was going to go through with this!"

"You still could have told me!"

She bit her lip.

"I know…"

"WHERE IS THAT DAMN KID FUJIOKA!"

"Ugh… I think grandpa is calling you." He groaned, knowing that Hinode-shishou would castrate his balls!

"This talk isn't over yet" He pointed at Shion before running into the Dojo's changing room, to face his death sentence.

Shion sighed. Well, the crisis was temporarily averted. She knew that it had been a mistake to keep such an important detail from Kazuki, but she had truly not known how to break the news. They had promised to one another to never keep secrets from each other… Especially when regarding their careers as Kenjutsu specialists.

Though Kazuki was not as gifted as Shion, he still saw Kendo as his passion. His future. It did hurt him that she was advancing so fast forward, while he was left behind to follow her shadow. She knew that he sometimes got jealous that he was training just as hard as her, but his results were nowhere as perfect as hers.

But he still supported her.

Still fought beside her.

Still laughed with her.

She felt guilt creep up her spine, knowing that she would need to apologize with all she had to her best friend.

Shaking herself out of her thoughts, she quickly went into her room, changing her attire to that of her Kendo uniform, choosing the dark blue keikogi and black hakama, reluctantly putting on the brown belt which hopefully today would be replaced with a black one.

Her grandfather might be well above the 6th Dan, but he was old, defeating him should not be impossible. By no means did she believe it would be easy. She had grown up with her grandfather, had watched him every day, minute, second as he practiced with the sword. His katas were precise and beautiful, he was a true master of the kenjutsu arts.

But age had made him slower and Shion was in the prime of her youth, at the age of sixteen, speed would be on her side. She knew all her grandfather's moves, tricks, ticks had watched him with a critical eye every single day.

She could defeat him, just like her mother had once done. The black belt as well as Shukumeisaiga would be hers today, failure would not be tolerated.

Her thoughts returned to Kazuki, hoping that he would not be too angry with her. She knew by all means that he would forgive her, their friendship far too strong to break over this. But he would be able to give her the cold shoulder.

And she could not bear the thought of not speaking to him for days.

The last time that had happened she had been miserable, groveling to his feet, asking for forgiveness. She did not want a repeat of that. It had been humiliating enough.

With her attire complete and her shinai (bamboo sword) in her hand, she quickly made her way down stairs, and into the dojo. With slower steps, she went to her grandfather puffing her chest, straightening her shoulders keeping a confident look in her face.

Her eyes briefly flickered to Kazuki's.

Despite him being obviously angry with her for not telling him until the very last second, he still nodded at her, encouraging her to go on. To issue her challenge.

"Hinode-shishou, I hereby challenge you for the right to earn the black belt as well as inherit Shukumeisaiga!" Her voice strong, not a sliver of hesitance to be heard.

The dojo fell silent, the students halting in their steps to listen the words spoken by the prodigy swordswoman.

"Very well. I hereby accept the challenge of one Shion Hinode."

The old man stood from his seated position, a shinai already in his hands. The students quickly scattered to the sides of the room, making way for the incoming spar.

"Fujioka-kun will count the points." The elder declared.

"Yes!"

Kazuki made his way to the sidelines. Observing. His eyes needed to be sharp to determine the winner.

Student and master stood facing one another, turning to bow to the audience, Shion's eyes immediately locking with those of Kazuki's before tearing them away and then bowing to her master. Closing in their steps, their shinai tightly gripped in their hands, they went into sitting position, their eyes never leaving one another, respecting their opponent.

As soon as both practitioners stood up, the fight began.

Kendo was a difficult sport. It wasn't just a battle of swords, trying to bypass the other's defenses, no. It was also a battle of wits. Observation was a key factor to this art, studying every move of the enemy as well as trying to predict your opponent's thoughts. In the martial arts of swords, there are no spontaneous hits, no ridiculous swinging of swords.

One wrong move and a slash with the sword, in a real battle field would spell your demise.

Several seconds passed circling slowly around each other. For student and master, it felt like a lifetime passing, observing quietly, trying to unravel every secret they held within them.

At last Shion made her move, believing to have seen an opening.

A fight in Kendo, unlike shown in many series and anime, was swift and quick. It happened but in a few seconds, only one coming out as the winner.

Shion had taken a hit. Her grandfather had feigned opening, predicting her movement and motioning a slash to her chest. A light touch with a shinai. Barely a tickle. A death blow were it a real sword.

"Point! Hiroki Hinode. 1-0" Kazuki's voice burst through the room.

With a bow, motioning as if the sword was sheathed, once again master and student were in a battle of minds as they resumed their slow dance.

This time, it was the elder Hinode initiating the fight. Shion quickly blocked the strike, ducking underneath the attacking shinai and thrusting her own bamboo sword into her opponent.

"Point goes to Shion Hinode. Current results 1-1."

The student around the dojo watched fascinated as the prodigy and master fought almost on par with one another. A few minutes later and the points stood 2 to 2, both having shown exceptional skill and finesse.

The next point would determine the winner.

Despite it not being a life-threatening situation, Shion felt like her body was heightened by adrenaline. She was nervous, excited and in a way even felt ill. This point would determine if she would become master level herself, finally focus on earning her Dan belts, or if she would have to wait another year to prove herself.

Shion initiated the attack. It was a straight forward slash, easy to block as she expected her grandfather to do. She knew she was being risky with the attack, however as her master had once said "Sometimes going with the unsafe option will lead you to victory."

And so, she chose. Keeping her shinai connected with that of her opponent, she stepped forward, the bamboo sword following her motion sliding against the enemy sword as it came closer to her collar bone. With a flick of her wrist, her grandfather lost his grip on his shinai for a fraction of a second, giving Shion exactly the opening she had been waiting for. The opening she had been hoping for.

With another step forward, she motioned to slashing her master's shoulder, but the older man quickly recovered, pushing his body away from the incoming attack.

Shion was quick on her feet, changing the direction of her slash, the shinai heading towards decapitation as the older Hinode tried to land a blow of his own.

Both bamboo swords hit.

However, whereas Shion's hit was at a vital point, a wound on the neck leading to sure victory, her grandfather had only managed to slash her arm, which would have guaranteed him the win had he managed to hit her first.

"Point! Current results, 3-2 for Shion Hinode."

With the last respectful bow, sitting against each other in seiza, Shion Hinode had finally earned her black belt, as well as successfully inherited Shukumeisaiga.

The students of the dojo began clapping, honored to have observed such a high skilled fight.

"You have grown Shion-chan." The older Hinode said to his granddaughter.

"I strive to be even better Hinode-shishou" She bowed, her hands clasped in front of her master respectfully.

With a gentle smile, the elderly man nodded.

"I apologize for the interruption of the lesson and I must also apologize. The dojo shall be closed for the rest of the day. You may pack your belongings. This day shall be compensated at further notice.

Once again, I apologize for any inconvenience." Shion's grandfather informed his students while Shion simply bowed to them beside her grandfather.

As she rose her head, she saw Kazuki heading her way.

"I would have been able to cheer you on better and congratulate you from the bottom of my heart had you not told me in such short notice." His smile was obviously strained.

Shion laughed awkwardly.

Her grandfather simply looked between the children, already having a clue of what had happened.

"As great of a support as you are to my granddaughter Kazuki-kun, I'm afraid we have some familial business to take care of." He informed.

Kazuki felt ready to protest, wanting to be with Shion, guilt trip her a bit more before congratulating her from the depths of his soul.

Alas, her grandfather had other plans.

Hugging Shion, whispering a congratulation in her ear, he quickly went to join the other students to pack his belonging.

Once he was done, he once again peaked inside where the two Hinode were, waving at them and bidding them goodbye, leaving the Dojo.

Once the Dojo was completely empty, Shion went to her grandfather's side as he motioned to follow him.

The Shukumeisaiga was a strange sword to say the least. It had been in the position of the Hinode family for several generation, dating back to approximately 500 years ago.

It was a magical sword so to speak. And it could only be wielded by women. However, despite that fact, it still had been handed down generation to generation, regardless of genders, though as said, only the women had been able to unsheathe the katana from its scabbard to actually use it in battle.

Which was strange to say the least, seeing that men were the ones to go into the battle field in ancient times.

As master and student went into the shrine built for the katana's sake, they both sat down in front of the magical sword.

"You have asked many times for the legend of the Shukumeisaiga, my granddaughter. However, you were always denied hearing of it's true story. It is tradition in our family for the former owner of the sword to tell the tale of the Fang of Destiny to the new possessor. And so, I shall tell you the tale of Shukumeisaiga.

Unfortunately, it is not a very long tale I'm afraid.

"Long, long ago, Japan was not a place only for humans to walk and possess. In an ancient world, creatures with unnatural powers walked the earth, creatures with powers superior to that of human kind.

These creatures were known as Youkai.

However, most Youkai were not fond of humans, as were they not appreciated by human kind either. The Youkai perceived humans as weak and useless, while the counterpart saw the Youkai as nothing more than monsters. And both sides held truth in their words.

Youkai were in many ways superior. Longer life spans, impossible durability, they were literal immortals in every physical aspect. But they were also beasts, as they fed like animals, had needs as animals and often acted crazed, full of bloodlust.

Some Youkai were hideous to look upon. Those were the lower kind, the ones that caused destruction as was their instinct that led them to do so. Just like animals they couldn't help but to act a certain way.

And then there were the DaiYoukai. Ethereal, beautiful, breathtaking, intelligent. But above all, powerful.

Many humans, despite the glaring truth, could not distinguish the difference between the lower type of Youkai and the DaiYoukai, often labeling them the same despite their differences. Such was the ignorance of human kind.

But some. Some came to understand that the DaiYoukai were indeed different. That they did have more than just instincts, such as the hideous beasts. They also had a heart.

Their heart was guarded, almost unapproachable, most of their hearts laced in ice. Cold and almost unbreakable.

But through history, few cases led to love between the DaiYoukai and humans, harboring children which were perceived by both sides as abominations.

Hanyou.

They had no home. And lived mostly alone in the world if abandoned by their parents. Though few survived, the world far too cruel.

This is where the story begins.

Two half-brothers, one Youkai and the other Hanyou, fighting side by side, to defeat Evil.

But they were not alone. Though powerful in their own right, none of them could defeat this evil together and especially not alone.

They had others by their side. Trusted friends.

And one of those friends was a Samurai, who wielded Shukumeisaiga.

Though it has never been confirmed, the Samurai was believed to be a female as the Shukumeisaiga only allowed the touch of a woman.

However, in the final battle against Evil time and space, past and future, was changed. It caused ripples. Locking this Evil away, at the cost of the Samurai and the life of a Miko.."

"The sword found its path into our family and we have been guarding it as well as honoring the blade for several generations, as it is believed that it is the Shukumeisaiga that holds the key to releasing this evil, and it is the Shukumeisaiga who can reverse its effects if such a tragedy were to happen.

Awaiting a new warrior to arise and defeat it once more as it is believed."

Shion's grandfather finished.

"So… This sword's sole purpose is to tear basically down Destiny, in order to either release or imprison this Evil?" Shion asked, fascinated by the tale.

So, it is for this reason why the Hinode family kept the tradition of learning Kendo. Of why they valued swordsmanship.

In case this evil chose to break out and cause once more havoc in this world.

The elderly Hinode gently took the katana from its resting place, handing it to his granddaughter.

"Would you do me the honor of unsheathing the sword Shion-chan."

"Of course, grandpa" Shion immediately replied. After all, since the death of her mother, no one had seen the sword unsheathed, making it over 16 years as her mother had died in childbirth.

Carefully, just as she had been taught in the arts of kenjutsu, she drew the beautiful katana from it black sheath, the red ribbon tied to its end dangling as the blade slithered out.

For being a 500 years old sword, it was in remarkably good shape. As if it had been forged but a few years ago. The hilt was adorned in black and red, in the middle of the hilt the crest of a new moon was engraved in silver. The guard held the form of a hexagonal flower and the blade… it was smooth, pristine and held strange engravings, looking much like a floral pattern, all connected as one line.

The katana was absolutely stunning and if there was a possibility a human could fall in love with a blade, at that moment Shion felt hear heart already being stolen.

"It's beautiful." She whispered.

"Indeed, it is."

After several minutes passed in silence as master and student observed the mystical blade, Shion's grandfather finally broke the silence.

"You might have earned today your black belt in Kendo as well as the right to wield Shukumeisaiga, but you must now learn how to handle and wield a real blade, Shion-chan."

"I imagine it is quite different from wielding a shinai?" Her voice layered with amusement.

"It is the art of Ioido or Ioijutsu. You learn how to unsheathe the katana properly, how to hold it as well as how to strike with it properly before sheathing it again. But seeing as you have been studying kendo since you were but a toddler, it should not be too difficult to learn this art of Kenjutsu as well."

Shion simply nodded, realizing that in front of her stood no longer her grandfather but her shishou. She would come to realize that wielding a real katana would be much more difficult than first thought. The shinai, having been much lighter had gotten her used to certain speed which she could not achieve with the new weight at hand.

Unsheathing it without hurting yourself as well as sheathing it back as well as learning stances how to protect yourself when attacked when the katana was still in the scabbard. Of course, they were all scenarios which nowadays were useless, as no one in their right mind would come attacking you with a katana in the middle of the streets, as it was much more common in ancient times, but she would learn none the less.

Because like that, she would honor the blade given to her.

Like that, she would honor the legend.

As the older Hinode deemed the lessons finished, Shion took a shower, changing out of her sweaty kendo uniform and quickly preparing dinner. As she was just about to finished with preparing the table, her phone rang.

It was her father.

Shion's father was indeed no swordsman and he would never be despite him being of the Hinode family. But he was a traveler at heart and respected the artifacts of the past.

"They are items which hold history within" he would always tell her.

"Hello papa!" And despite him not enjoying kenjutsu, Shion still loved her father very much. With a long chatter, telling him about what had happened today, how she had earned her black belt as well as the right to wield Shukumeisaiga and briefly mentioning the Kazuki was pissed at her (at which her father had laughed), the usually quiet dinner ended in a much more delightful manner than usual.

As her grandfather went to rest for the night, Shion quickly finished whatever house chores were left in order to spend as much time with her newest possession. The beautiful Shukumeisaiga.

Oh… and talk to Kazuki of course.

She totally had not forgotten talking to him and the text message telling her if they could talk was totally not the reminder she had needed.

"So, you finally got the sword."

"Yup!"

"So, did you finally get the story you had been DYING for?"

"Yeah and I would tell you but it's kind of a family secret. Sorry."

"No need to apologize… At least not for that reason." I could particularly hear the evil grin across the line.

"Uhhhhh…. Will you ever forgive me?"

"Well, you eventually told me, even IF it was last second. But yeah, you're forgiven. You owe me though. Like… Hooking me up with Plushenko kind of owe me!"

Shion burst out laughing.

"I'll try my best to get you two all lovey dovey. Do you even know if he is gay in the first place?"

"Please have you seen how he swings his hips? Definitely gay."

One again Shion was on her bed rolling over the hilarity of this.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow Kazu-chan!" She said in a teasing voice.

"Good night Shi-chan!"

"Good night" A light smile on her lips.

In the lonesome of her room, sitting on her bed in her pajamas, she observed the blade lying on display on her shelf.

She quickly rose up, grabbing the sword, sitting down and observing the engravings swirling across the blade the second she unsheathed it. However, the longer Shion observed the blade, the more meaning the flowery pattern seemed to gain. It looked almost as if words were written in it.

She glided her fingers across the blade, not having counted on the sharpness of the blade, blood being drawn. However, it did not simply end with a few drops of blood. The liquid slowly spread throughout the engravings, making it clear that there was indeed written some type of meaning in the blade.

"Killing Perfection?" She read out lout. And the world became a blinding mess as light surrounded her very being. She could not see anything but blinding white, causing the androgynous girl to close her eyes as she felt her body being plunged into something unknown.

And before she knew it, the light had faded away, a cold breeze causing her to once again open her black orbs. She was in the middle of a clearing, surrounded by trees, not far from her a river running quietly through the field.

She must have fallen asleep on her desk. Cause that was the only explanation why she was alone, in the middle of a forest with nothing but her pajamas and Shukumeisaiga, as night engulfed the world.

Yup, definitely asleep. Cause the freezing weather seeping into her skin was definitely a fiction of her imagination…


A/N: So that is chapter 1. Please tell me what you've thought of it, any feedback is very much appreciated.

Thank you for reading, and hopefully see you soon!