AN: it was brought to my attention that this chapter was causing some confusion so allow me to explain. This chapter is a introduction to my three main ocs and is not connected with any anime/manga. the crossovers start in ch2 with Rosario+Vampire crossing into my original story with bleach to follow in later chapters. With others possibly crossing over later as the story progresses. I hope this will prevent any confusion and as this is my first ever attempt at some thing like this. Constructive criticism and suggestions are welcome but please be civil about it. Edited and some dialog issues fixed

Special thanks go to my coauthor/editor Masterbroly without whom this story would never have been posted. And to DameM who pointed out the confusion caused by this chapter. And to all who choose to read this story. THANK YOU!

CHAPTER 1

A young man sat on the floor of his sleeping quarters. He was in meditation having been woken by a disturbing dream. The dream was of flashing blades and battle. He sat and tried to understand this dream.

The last time he had such dreams was two hundred years ago. They had heralded the battle with Etherion, The last demon lord to actively try to exterminate humans.

Yosho was deeply disturbed by this turn of events. As he pondered the implications of these dreams he suddenly became aware that he was being watched. His eyes snapped open and he had to suppress the instinct to deliver a devastating preemptive attack.

The prescience felt familiar. Instantly he placed it. It belonged to one of his current students. He looked at the sliding door to his room it was opened a fraction of an inch just wide enough for someone to see inside.

Glancing at the digital clock at the side of his bed he noticed that it read seven thirty. Retuning his attention to the door called, "Good morning Ayakia, is every thing all right?" there was a small gasp from the other side of the door.

And then the door opened. The girl in the door way was seventeen she was tall and had long black hair with red tips. She had a mild look of surprise on her face as she replied, "Everything's fine sensei. I was just checking if you where ready to have breakfast. It's ready if you want some." Yosho smiled.

"Alright I'll be down in a few minuets." she closed the door as she left. And Yosho stood up and went to his closet. He took out a set of training clothes. They consisted of the standard loose fitting pair of dark cloth paints. And a white vest type shirt held together by a cloth belt tied at the waist.

After he put on the clothes, he left his room which was on the second floor of a two story dojo complex. It was built in the old style. With a ten foot stone wall surrounding it, the complex was arranged in a square around a central training courtyard.

On the north side was the bath house. The east wing was the living quarters. And the west wing was the indoor training facilities, the east north and west wings where connected forming a large u. the south side was left open to extend the training yard and providing access to the gate.

As Yosho descended the stairs his thoughts once again retuned to his dream. 'What did it mean?' he mused; obviously it was foretelling a great struggle, But with what? Surely no other demon lords had risen; Etherion was the last arch demon to raise, To Yosho's knowledge anyway.

But what really disturbed him was the subtle shift in the balance of the elemental powers of the world that he had been feeling. It was as if someone or something was generating a massive amount of power.

Enough to alter the balance, and the only beings that he knew of that could do that where high dragons like him or an arch demon.

Yosho was so engrossed in his thoughts that he ran into a boy of about seventeen knocking him over. Jarred out of his thoughts Yosho looked at the boy he had just ran into.

Berating himself for being so careless, He said "sorry are you all right?" as he reached down to help the boy up.

The boy looking up at Yosho replied. "Yeah I'm fine." as Yosho helped him to his feet he asked "Yosho sensei what's the matter, is some thing wrong?"

Yosho studied the boy as he composed his answer. The boy was about an inch taller than Ayakia and he was well muscled with his hair cut short in the same style as Yosho's.

Where as Ayakia was lithe and graceful liking a stalking panther. He was more solid and forceful in his appearance. He stood solid and strong, his eyes held intensity rarely found in one so young. Many assumed this was from his training with Yosho.

"No nothings wrong Neji I was just thinking. You heading to breakfast, care to walk with me?"

Neji smiled and said "sorry but I just finished and there are a few things I have to take care of." and with that he turned and walked away toward the bathhouse.

Yosho shook his head and with a small chuckle continued on to the dining hall. 'So serious that one' he thought as he entered the dining hall, Yosho immediately noticed that the dining hall was suspiciously quiet.

Glancing around Yosho confirmed that the hall was in fact empty. Which was strange as Ayakia usually used any plausible excuse to be in the same room as Yosho especially at mealtimes? 'Hmmm… I wonder what she's up to.' thought Yosho as he sat down at his usual place at the head of the long dining table.

It was built to accommodate ten to twenty people. Sadly the dojo hadn't had so many students in a long time. As Yosho began to eat he noticed a note by the small bowl of rice and natto that was a part of his usual breakfast.

The note read as follows: Sensei when you are finished please come to the training hall. Sincerely Ayakia, ps. It's important.

As Yosho was reading this Neji and Ayakia where in the training hall, Arguing fiercely. "You're late!" accused Ayakia poking Neji in the chest. "Did you bring it?"

"Sorry I ran into Yosho sensei." replied Neji rubbing the spot that Ayakia had just poked. "And yes I brought the boken; I figure we have about ten minuets before he gets here. Is every thing ready?"

"Of course!" replied Ayakia tossing her long hair. Ayakia was dressed in a training uniform similar to that of Yosho and Neji with the same loose fitting dark pants but the shirt was different it was designed to protect her modesty. Instead of the vest type shirts worn by Yosho and Neji. Hers was a pull over type with a v neck design. Loose for freedom of movement but still formfitting.

She was very popular at the nearby high school. Although she did not attend as a student she did go as an assistant to the kendo club that Yosho instructed there on occasion.

He found that her presence at the club drove the male members to higher levels of competition and skill in an attempt to impress her. This was one reason for the boken. Another was today also happened to be Yosho-sensei's birthday, and she had spent weeks planning this surprise party. And nothing was going to mess it up this time.

"So this is what you where up to, Ayakia." startled Ayakia whirled around with a yelp. And there stood Yosho. Turning back to Neji. "You said we had ten minuets." Ayakia growled through clenched teeth.

"No I said we had about ten minutes." Neji corrected, "He obviously crossed the courtyard instead of walking through the bathhouse."

Turning back to Yosho, Ayakia said in a small voice "surprise" looking up at Yosho's amused smile. She suddenly burst into laughter. Through the fits of laughter she said "Happy birthday sensei, one of these days I'm going to get you though."

Yosho was amused he had forgotten that this was the day that his current identity was supposed to be born. And every year since her fifteenth birthday Ayakia had tried to "get" him with a surprise party.

So far she hadn't met with success. Although Yosho appeared to be an athletic twenty-five year old male. He was actually closer to four hundred years old. And those centuries of honing his skills in both his physical and magical combat had left him hyperaware of his surroundings.

"So how long have you been planning the party?" he asked. Ayakia blushed and in a sheepish vice said

"Three weeks, and you ruined it by taking a shortcut!" it was at this point Neji chimed in with a mischievous glint in his eye.

"Yeah should of thought of that one huh." Ayakia's face went scarlet as she tuned on him.

"Oh you are going pay for that!" she yelled as she charged him. Not wanting any bloodshed Yosho intervened.

"Alright that's enough you two." he said as he placed a hand on Ayakia's shoulder. "Unless of course you intend to show me how much you have improved as your gift this year."

With one last glare at Neji Ayakia replied "No sensei we ordered this for you." and with that Neji brought out narrow cloth sleeve. Stitched into the cloth with silver thread was an oriental dragon. Yosho could immediately tell that it was a custom made boken. And was probably very expensive.

When he pulled the boken from its protective sleeve he noticed that it wasn't made of wood. Instead it was made of a high density polymer; it also had the oriental dragon engraved into the blade portion of the boken. The dragon carving was painted silver as well. On the other side of the blade the engraved dragon was facing in the opposite direction.

Yosho's smile was broad and joyful. "Oh! This is too much it must have cost quite a bit, you shouldn't have." it wasn't often but every now and then his students did surprise him. He was completely blown away by their astuteness.

Once again Ayakia blushed "I'm glad you like it sensei." that's when Neji stepped in.

"Sensei there is something else, but I don't think it's from us, but it came in the same shipment as the boken." with that he handed Yosho a wooden box that was about ten inches long. On the box was inscribed strange crest.

Ayakia suddenly looked very confused "are you sure Neji?" she asked "I know for sure that I did not order it."

"Yeah I'm sure it was in the same shipment." Neji replied.

Ayakia shook her head in an attempt banish the confusion. "Well what does it matter it's obviously for you sensei why don't you see what's inside."

Yosho ran his fingers over the box's lid he couldn't quite place it but the crest was familiar to him. As if he had seen it before.

"Well aren't you going to open it?" Ayakia asked with an impatient tone.

"Alright, alright I'm opening it." unlatching the clasp Yosho opened the box. Lying on a red velvet cushion was a dagger. The blade was about eight inches long. Double-edged and tapering to a point. It resembled an English poniard. But the blade was modified as if it where made for ritual use only.

Etched along the perimeter of the blade was fine line work made to look like a tongue flame running the length of the blade? The wooden hilt was stained a deep black contrasted by a brilliant ruby that served as the blades pommel.

When Ayakia saw the ceremonial blade she felt an immediate flash of envy, instantly followed by intense annoyance. How dare someone upstage her gift?

She started to say something then she noticed that Yosho wasn't smiling any more. In fact his mood had changed so quickly and violently it frightened her. His happiness and lighthearted teasing of a moment ago where gone. Replaced by an intensity that she had never seen from Yosho before.

It scared her she began to reach out to Yosho when suddenly Neji grabbed her wrist. She shot him a glare but all he did was shake his head. The look that he gave Ayakia said "I wouldn't do that if I where you" trying to determine the source of her sensei's distress, she glanced back at the blade of the poniard.

That's when she noticed the message engraved into the blade; it ran down the middle of the blade. Inside of the border formed by the carved tongue of flame. This was what it said:

The veil has fallen

And the line drawn

The blood of the innocent calls

For the champions vengeance

To strike like the hammer's mighty blow

Will the slumbering dragon wake?

And heed the call

Or shall the defenseless in darkness fall

Ayakia was confused it was as if someone who knew Yosho sensei had deliberately sent him the dagger as a message. One she could not make head or tail of. She resolutely decided to solve this mystery one way or the other.

Neji was also confused by the message. But what worried him more was Yosho's reaction to the message. Until now he had never seen Yosho so shaken. Whatever the verse carved into the blade of poniard meant it was obviously very bad news. After coming to that conclusion Neji resolved to help in any way possible.

But for now Yosho-sensei needed his space and he knew that it was dangerous to push Yosho for answers when he wasn't ready to give them.

With those thought Neji turned to Ayakia and whispered "let's go, obviously there is something personal between Yosho sensei and someone."

Ayakia turned Neji and whispered back "No! I'm staying right here and getting some answers, right now!" She started to take a step toward Yosho, when Neji shot her a glare that froze her in mid stride.

"Don't be stupid Ayakia; you know how Yosho-sensei is when he gets like this. He'll tell you what's going on when he's ready and not before. So let's just leave him alone for a while."

Ayakia reluctantly nodded "I know Neji but it scares me when he's like this." with that Neji and Ayakia turned to Yosho to find him staring at the blade and its cryptic inscription. Neji cleared his throat, jarred out of his thoughts Yosho looked over at the two teens.

Immediately noticing the looks of concern Yosho heaved a sigh and said "I'm sorry Ayakia I didn't mean to ruin your party for me with all my brooding."

Concern evident on her face "what's going on sensei?" Ayakia asked.

"I don't know Ayakia, not yet anyway, but obviously someone is in need of my help and they went through a lot of trouble to get my attention."

Suddenly Ayakia clenched her fists and defiantly proclaimed. "That's where your wrong sensei they went through a lot of trouble get our attention, we're in this with you sensei!"

Neji stepped forward "I agree with Ayakia, we're in this together."

Yosho's heart swelled with pride "all right then, the first step is to find out who sent this poniard, and more importantly why." then Yosho smiled mischievously "But first to make up for my brooding at my own birthday party. How does dinner at Oniguri tonight sound?"

Both Neji's and Ayakia's eyes lit up. Oniguri was a wildly popular local restaurant that made some of the best food in the area. Not to mention that it was the teen's favorite restaurant. It also happened that Yosho knew the owner so he had no problem getting reservations.

Yosho turned to his students and suddenly flashed a wide smile "Oh by the way seeing as it's my birthday and all I've decided that you can have the day off go have some fun for a change." Yosho chuckled to him self at the dumbstruck looks on his student's faces. "Go on you guys have been training hard lately and everyone needs a day off every once in a while."

Finally the two concerned teens relented to there teachers logic and left. But Ayakia resolved to stay close to Yosho as she usually did she didn't know why but she found her self feeling conflicted recently.

Ever since she had found her way to Yosho's gate after her uncle had abandoned her in the area of his home. And even through the devastating psychological trauma of having her only remaining family deny her very existence. And Yosho subsequently taking her in as one of his students, she had come to see him as a strong older brother.

She knew that he would never abandon her like her uncle had. But recently she noticed her feelings had started to change. And the scary part she realized she liked the change. She had grown close to the man she saw as her older brother but she wanted to get closer still. The problem she wasn't sure if he wanted the same thing or if he was even aware of her feelings.

It was with these thoughts that Ayakia headed to her room instead of following Neji out of the gate to where ever it was that he went when he had a day to him self. Yosho watched his students leave the training hall.

With a sigh he walked over to the phone on the wall picking up the receiver he dialed the personal cell phone of one Hitomi Hisami owner of Oniguri restaurant. As he waited for her to pick up. Yosho silently berated himself for being complacent. Because he believed that the human race was safe with the defeat of Etherion that his duty was at an end he was a fool!

He was torn from his thoughts by a cheerful greeting

"Yosho! How are you? It's been a while. Longtime no talk as it where, how have you been?"

Smiling to himself Yosho answered "I'm fine, hey Hitomi I was wondering if you could spare a table for me and two others?"

"Of course you know your welcome here anytime."

"Thanks Hitomi we'll see you around eight tonight."

"See you then" was the reply.

With that Yosho walked to the training yard he was about to do something he hadn't done in nearly two hundred years. Striping off his shirt exposing his well muscled torso. Sat down in the middle of the training yard and opened himself to his power. It had been so long since he had used it but it answered his call instantly.

After a moment began generating a massive amount of power he sent this power out spreading ever wider in his search for what had disturbed him. To Yosho's surprise he almost immediately felt two powers respond to his them where young and not fully awakened yet but it definitely was a response to his energy.

One was close but moving away at a slow pace but one was in his dojo. They felt familiar with a jolt he placed it those powers belonged to his students. He was so surprised that he lost his focus and the energy wave he was using to search with dissipated.

His eyes snapped open and there was Ayakia standing on the balcony overlooking the courtyard her blue eyes wide with astonishment.

Not willing to be far from Yosho Ayakia had decided to go to her bedroom and read one of her magazines for a while she had just settled into her bed when she suddenly had a strange experience it was almost as if a powerful wave of energy just washed over her.

The energy thrummed along her nerves it wasn't painful but it did send a tingle down her spine. But stranger still was the response it was as if something in her had come alive and sent a pulse of energy back along the wave that had engulfed her. Once again not an unpleasant experience but defiantly out of the ordinary. Overcome by the curiosity she decided to follow the pulse of energy to see where it went.

She followed it. To her surprise it leads her to the balcony looking down her breath caught in her chest. She saw Yosho sitting in the middle of the court yard shirtless with his eyes closed. Now lately that alone would be enough to drive her wild but this time she also noticed something else he was glowing a strong blue color not unlike the color of a lightning bolt.

She also noticed a wavering shadow around him almost as if he where sitting in a ring of fire. When his eyes snapped open and he looked at her she could have sworn that his eyes had changed. Instead of the usual shade of blue they were now a darker blue with a large ring of silver around the pupil, and the pupil had changed from the round one like that of a human to the vertical slit of a cat or snake. All she could do is stare down at her teacher.