First attempt to upload met with some difficulty. This is my first story. I wanted to do it from another perspective. I hope you all enjoy. Constructive criticism always welcome. I hope you all enjoy my story.


Chapter 1

It was raining when Ryuu finally returned to his family home. He stood outside staring at the old well-kept house on his family estate remembering the last time he was there.

'The night those assassins took my family from me and turned my world upside down, it was raining then too.' He thought inwardly. 'I wasn't much older than my granddaughter, Kunou, at the time. That was, what, 467 years ago Sylvia?'

[Yes. Has it really been that long Ryuu? Time flew by during our travels and adventures, and the world has changed a lot too.] Sylvia answered him from the glowing amethyst pendant hanging around his neck.

If anyone were to look closely at the pendant they would see a Phoenix clutching a Naga serpent in front of an eight pointed star. The pendant contained a powerful primordial entity that would only respond to the thoughts and will of its bearer.

Lost in his thoughts, Ryuu didn't notice that he was being watched by a pixie. The little pixie needed to tell her master about this human who wasn't emitting any presence or power. The pixie found this man strange and that only made her more curious. Normal humans are like beacons that could be sensed by anyone from the supernatural world, but this man was a blank to those senses. After a few more minutes observing this curious anomaly she vanished into thin air.

Sylvia remained silent while her host reminisced about his family. She was happy that he had finally found happiness in his unnaturally long life. She had been watching over him and able to interact with Ryuu since the day he was taken by his father's loyal, if not mysterious, blonde female retainer. She had done something to him or given him something which had changed him and in turn awakened Sylvia. Ryuu was her first bearer and if she had any say in the matter, he would be the only one to bear her. She had developed an intimate fondness for him.

'I'm still in shock at the whole situation that brought us back here in the first place Sylvia.' He said with a far off look in his eyes.

[Who would have thought that Lady Venelana Gremory would have gone to Kyoto to ask Yasaka for help to protect her daughter and her daughter's servants? And for that help to be you specifically. Especially since she knows what you did to her son several years ago, even if he did deserve it.] Sylvia asked Ryuu with a slightly smug tone in her voice.

'Yes I was thrown by that as well. I probably would have done the same thing if our roles were reversed. I can only hope she hasn't revealed my secret to anyone though, it would be bad for everyone if it ever got out. Besides I've done a number of jobs for her over the years, mostly for her family. The last job I did for her, prior to that, and her family was 300 years ago off the coast of northern Europe." Ryuu said. 'Although I don't think she recalls having met me back then, since I went by my birth name at the time and looked a lot different too.'

[I don't think she would reveal your secret even if she knew who you were Ryuu. But you're right, I don't think she recognized you as the masked captain she once hired. Besides she never struck me as that kind of person who would divulge your secret to anyone even if she knew, considering how you family through out history has always helped hers out, even if she is a Devil. But I do know that she respects you and your abilities and doesn't want you to come to any harm.] Sylvia replied back.

"Anyway, because of her we were able to get a person inside the school and in the same class as her daughter and me in as a teacher. Besides, she is paying for our services and has promised to help Yasaka in the future. Plus it was good to see her again after all these years.' Ryuu answered. Then added, 'But to do something like this behind her family's back isn't like her at all, especially when it directly involves a member of her family. I just hope it doesn't come back to bite her in the ass later on down the road. Even though she assured us Sirzechs won't interfere or know that I am here. The last thing we need is a Devil with a grudge on our ass, so we'll still need to be on our guard.'

[It did seem rather strange that she would come to Kyoto via the Sun Goddess, Amaterasu, and to go to all this trouble of getting us into her daughter's territory undetected. I, too, hope that it does not come back to harm her either.] Sylvia replied. [And don't worry I will continue to suppress our energy signature from everyone just to be safe.]

'Thank you Sylvia.' Ryuu answered with a slight bow of his head. Then continued, 'I hold no grudge against any of the Gremory's for the actions of their son; hell, even I no longer hold a grudge against Sirzechs. It's just been too many years to hold onto something like that.'

After their brief exchange Ryuu picked up his bag and sword case and walked up to the door.

'Well I guess I better go in and greet my assistants, and give Yasaka a call to let her know that I arrived safely and to thank her for getting the old house set up for me. She is a good girl; so much like her mother.' He said with a smile as he opened door.

'I guess the other one isn't here yet.' He silently said to Sylvia.

[That's what it looks like. I'm sure they'll turn up soon.] She responded.

'I suppose you're right.' He said.

Upon entering his ancestral home, Ryuu found himself looking at a busty 18 year old girl with reddish brown hair wearing blue jeans and a black v-neck shirt standing next to a glass display case with a very old set of Samurai armor inside. She was admiring the armor and weapons in the display case and didn't hear the door open. She was startled when a man came up behind her and spoke.

"That was the armor my father wore during the tail end of the Muromachi Period, he was so proud of that armor. It was a gift from his Daimyo for his faithful and unwavering service." He said coming up next to her. "The night the assassins came he was away in Kyoto meeting with the other Samurai and their Daimyo, while the rest of us were here in this house sleeping. They butchered my family while they slept. My older sister made sure one of my father's trusted retainers, a mystic whose real name I never learned, got me out of the city with instructions not to return until she sent for me. A couple of years later, we had received a message from her saying to come to the country home to get fathers armor, katana, wakizashi, and his ashes. That would be the last time I saw my sister until years later."

The startled girl took a step back to look at the person next to her then bowed and introduced herself.

"Welcome home Onaga-sama, I am Tanji Keiko, I will be your ward and personal assistant. Please forgive my lapse; I didn't hear you come in earlier." The girl said.

"It's okay Tanji-san and thank you. I came in quietly, and you looked really interested in the armor." He said as he bowed to her.

"Yes I am, I mean was. The armor and weapons are fascinating and to be in such good condition after four and a half centuries is almost unheard of these days." She said looking back at the armor.

"I'm glad you like it." He said with a grin and then asked to get things back on track, "Are you by chance the assistant my daughter hired or the one from Amaterasu's shrine?"

"I am the one that was hired by Yasaka-ojousama; she has asked that I be your assistant for the foreseeable future. She has also procured you a position as a teacher and as the after school adviser to the Occult Research Club at Kuoh Academy, where I am currently attending as a student." Keiko blushed as she said in a respectful yet excited manner.

She then asked. "Why would Amaterasu's shrine send you an assistant too? I wasn't aware of one coming from Amaterasu's shrine."

"You would have to ask Yasaka or Amaterasu that Tanji-san." He answered her.

"I see. Whatever the reason it must be important if Amaterasu is sending an assistant too." She told him.

Ryuu nodded to her in reply then asked, "Since we will be living together may I call you by your first name when we are not at school?"

Wide eyed and shocked at the request all Keiko could do was nod her head then stuttered, "Y-Yes, I w-w-would be h-honored Onaga-sama."

"Then it's settled Keiko-san, and please call me Ryuu." He said to her with a smile.

"N-N-N-No. I couldn't do that. I'm not worthy to call you by your name Onaga-sama." She stammered shaking her head.

"Of course you're worthy, and besides I insist Keiko-san. We will be working and living together for a while." He said to her shaking his head.

Lowering her head to hide the shy smile that had found its way to her lips she finally said, "I suppose you're right Ryuu-sama."

"Hahaha…, that's a start Keiko-san. Now let me call Yasaka, then how about we go out and get some dinner and you can tell me about this school I'll be teaching at." Ryuu said to a very red faced Keiko.

"Y-Y-You m-mean like a d-d-date R-Ryuu-sama?" Asked a shocked and stuttering Keiko.

"I suppose you could call it a date if you like." He answered with a grin to his young companion.

If it were possible to become even redder, then Keiko had managed to achieve it. She was fidgeting from foot to foot and shyly looking at the man in front of her. In her nervousness her tail and ears came out, revealing herself as an Ookami (wolf youkai) to Ryuu.

Even though she knew how old he was, she didn't really care; she would be lying to herself if she were to say she didn't find him attractive. She had been attracted to him since the first time she saw him at the Palace in Kyoto's Inner City when she was 13 years old with her adopted mother. When an opportunity came up to work with him she had practically begged her mother and Yasaka to let her be his assistant. She was elated when she had received the news that she had been chosen to be the one to work with him. Now here she was acting like a girl her age when the man she admired suggested they go out and get something to eat.

Meanwhile, Ryuu was silently observing the young woman as she started to fidget and get red faced at the mention of going out to get dinner together. He was genuinely amused that she would react so innocently and he had to admit she was really cute too. He knew that his daughter had sent Keiko ahead to be his assistant, but he also knew she had an ulterior motive in doing so. Yasaka was trying to set him up with someone that she approved of.

[I think Yasaka worries about her father being lonely, Ryuu. And to be honest, I've been worried about you myself.] Sylvia said to him as if reading his thoughts.

'I know Sylvia. She made no secret that she was going to find someone for me. Ever since her mother passed away twenty-two years ago, Yasaka was all I had left. After she married Taro and had Kunou she must have noticed how lonely I had become.' He replied to her.

He noticed that she suddenly had a tail and what appeared to be wolf ears. This revelation shocked him a little, since Ookami were really rare. And to be honest he found it really refreshing that someone could be themselves when they were flustered.

'I guess I better tell her what Yasaka was hoping would happen.' He said to Sylvia.

[That would probably be best, but don't hurt the poor girl. I get the feeling she has idolized you for a long time.] She replied.

Smiling he walked over to Keiko and said, "Now, now Keiko-san, how about we go ahead and go get some dinner and get to know one another better. To be in the company of such a beautiful woman, who happens to be an Ookami, would be a great way to spend the evening. And I would be lying if I didn't say that I was a little nervous too."

Keiko seemed to snap back to reality, blushing about her ears and tail being out, and asked, "You're nervous too Ryuu-sama?"

"Of course I am. I mean my daughter obviously wants us to get together, call it a daughter looking after her father. I just hope I won't disappoint you or your expectations. It has been a long time since I've been out with a beautiful young woman who wasn't my daughter or granddaughter." He told her while rubbing the back of his neck.

"If you are willing to give this a try, then so am I. But I don't want you to feel pressured into anything. We can take things slow." He reassured her.

Keiko was silent for a bit after listening to what Ryuu had said to her. Tears were threatening to fall from her eyes with his words. Instead of answering with words right away she shocked him by giving him a hug.

"Thank you Ryuu-sama." She whispered to him while burying her face in his chest.

"Then if you will allow me," Ryuu asked while hugging her back, "Keiko-san would you like to go to dinner with me tonight?"

"Yes." Was all she whispered in reply with tears of joy in her eyes.