K: Konbanwa!! ^_^ I was reflecting on the storyline of chapter 2 of "Kirei na Tanin" and couldn't help but write this. This is my second historically-based fic, and I hope you like it! ^_^ Dun worry- it won't be as sad as "Gokigen'yo Manzanaru"… At least, I don't plan to, yet… More like an adventure…. ^_~ And perhaps a hint of Tyka on the side? *laughs* You know how I am about that… ^_^;

Y: *coughs and points to Ko's shirt which clearly reads 'Got Yaoi?'* ; Um…. Yeah….

K: *keeps smiling- completely oblivious* ^_______^

Disclaimer:

Lawman-yer, I swears to own it I dun Ra! (*winces* _RA_, that's a lame parody of the occiffer joke…. --; trans: Lawyer-man, I swear to Ra I dun own it!)

Dedications:

- Weeping Angel

- PinkDevil

- Ran

- Kuro (CONTINUE THOSE FICS!!!)

- Darkspider (*glomps Max Plushie you gave me* Arigato!! ^_^)

- Tsunami Wave

- Escuro de la Lus

- Kawaii-kirei

- Rumi-chan

- Japime Gurl

- NT aka Aku-chan

- Jewel

- Seth

- Asa-chan

And, of course:

- Kyoto Project

(Love you guys!! ^_^ Thanks so much for all your support!! ^_^)

Mujaki na Youkai

Innocent Demon

Rune I: Satsujinken Katsujinken

"Satsujinken….Katsujinken…"

      This phrase has echoed Japanese legend for hundreds of years. It tells the story of life and death, and two swords that were to give each respectively. "The sword that kills, and the sword that gives life." It is said that such swords would be born at the hands of two men- one blessed, one cursed- and that only those pure of soul could wield them.

Masamune, the blessed, gave rise to the sword of life- also named Masamune in his honor. This sword was never used to needlessly shed blood, but to save the lives of the innocent. Masamune taught his pupils of his views, and of the true nature of a sword; a way of life he believed with his very being.

      One student, however, did not find his views to be the truth. A man named Muramasa could not see how a weapon could be used in a way that didn't involve bloodshed. On his own, he accidentally forged the second sword of legend- the Murasame, when trying to replicate the Masamune.

      Both men continued their styles of sword-making; Masamune's pure, Muramasa's tainted by a constant bloodlust. In the end, both died, taking the secrets of their own original styles with them- never knowing what future lay ahead for what few weapons of theirs survived the tests of time. One by one, their swords became lost, until finally, only the Masamune and Murasame remained.

      Yet those, too, disappeared from all knowledge. Found by various wanderers, they brought great fame to those who used them- fame from saving life, or fame from bringing death. Their charges never knew the truth behind their glory, yet whenever one impure would come upon either sword, the possessor faced great misfortunes.

      Through the ages, man progressed, and soon, there was no need for mortal weapons of the past. New weapons replaced the old, and the swords of legend were passed to new hands- one rooted within an antique dealership, and the other set on display at an auction. People had appraised the one at auction as a work of Muramasa, and many sellers fawned over such a rare and priceless artifact. However, no one took interest in Masamune's work, which had been cast into the shadows of the dusty shop.

      Both were bought by different families- Muramasa's by the wealthy Hiwatari zaibatsu, and the other by a middle-class ancestors of the Kinomiyas. The swords were passed down from generation to generation; each teaching the art of swordplay to the eldest heir to the family name. They both prided themselves in their techniques, and always kept their teachings strictly within the bloodline.

      But there was one thing they didn't know. One thing everyone had somehow overlooked….

      ………..The Masamune and Murasame had been switched.

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K: *rereads what she's typed and frowns* Why am I suddenly getting flashbacks of the prelude to LOTR? --;

Y: *reads over chapter and nods* Well, it is kind of the same concept with the 'passing through the ages' thing, but other than that, nothing else really sounds like LOTR….

K: *sighs* If you say so… *turns to readers* Well, I'm done with the boring-ass background chapter! ^_~ Next time, you'll get to see a few familiar faces, k?

*sighs wistfully* Ya know- I'm surprised no one else has done this. I mean, no one really ever mentions Takao's kendo training, or the family sword that Dragoon came out of. I think it's about time someone shed some light on that aspect, don't you? ^_~

Well, time to post this! ^_^ I hope you guys all like this new twist… I actually have a plot to this story, so I'm sure I'll continue sooner or later. In fact, I'm gonna sit and write down every step of this fic as soon as I post so I won't forget! ^_^;

Oh no! I think I'm forgetting already! ; Must… type…. faster…!!! Ja ne!!