Chapter I: 1912-1981 Before the Story
While she had met a few Youkai in her second life, the young goddess didn't know all that much about them.
The first thing she learned in this new life was that Youkai were born, and spent their first few months, in their animal form.
She was born not long before what would later come to be called the Great War, then World War I, in Eastern Europe. Her mother, the white wolf Daiyoukai Blanche de Rive, was a renowned Huntress, as those who specialized in hunting down corrupted beings were called – and because of this reputation, she had been hunted in turn when corrupted youkai, more monster than beast, had realized that she was expecting.
Blanche de Rive gave birth to a daughter and a still-born son, and spent the last of her life-force protecting the new-born.
By the time Padfoot found his goddaughter, the newly born pup's white fur was tainted red by her mother's blood, and the youkai that had just killed the beautiful white wolf were turning their attention toward her daughter.
Her father hadn't known that Blanche was expecting – the white wolf, unexpected daughter from a one night stand between a witcher from another reality supposedly infertile and a wolf youkai, had never shown any signs of being fertile herself. Both youkai, while quite fond of each other, had a very free relation, each being very independent, and could go for years sometimes without seeing each other.
He was in Japan when rumors of a pregnant Blanche reached him, and of her assailants.
Even for the famous Sesshoumaru Taishou, one of the four leader of youkai in Japan, crossing half the world took a bit of time.
He arrived just in time to see a young black Grimm pup bearing the feeling of a holy servant rush toward the body of the one of the few female he'd loved and respected – or rather, toward the small pup she had been protecting even in death. The corrupted youkai advancing upon both pups were taken care of with one careless snap of his gigantic maws, and he slipped seamlessly in human form, approaching cautiously.
The Great Dog's nose easily identified the pup's as Blanche's and his daughter, which in and of itself was a miracle he hadn't expected.
But a closer inspection of his pup held even more unexpected results.
Under the blood, two red lines marred her face – the same line he proudly bore, proclaiming him as the alpha chosen by the pack he had been part of in his coming of age's initiation.
And the scent – this was a child, touched by Death, yet not by mortality.
"Be proud, Blanche." he whispered to the dead beauty "You gave birth to a goddess." then toward his daughter "Welcome, Taishou Tsukiko. I have been waiting for you for a long time."
With a pulse of youki, he cautiously let one of his claws line a symbol – officially welcoming the newest daughter of the House of Moon, who now sported the same blue design on her brow as he did, even if hers was only an outline.
Ariana – or rather, Tsukiko – had been stunned speechless when she realized who was her father.
Or rather she would have been if she had been able to speak.
As it was, barely born for a few hours, she still hadn't managed to stand on her four legs, so she wasn't even touching the topic of speaking just yet.
As Sesshoumaru started to build a pyre for her mother, Tsukiko decided that she had to learn how to walk, her instincts rushing her into learning – she would later learn that youkai had their first growth spur right after birth, as they had evolved in order to spent the least time vulnerable.
Padfoot went to help her – not without quite a bit of ribbing; making her realize that right now, she was speaking the canine language; and that her human-looking father of course understood, as she saw his eyebrow rise to one of her more acidic retort to her godfather, speech coming faster than expected to her with the need to put down the annoying mutt.
She finally managed to walk somehow competently, just as her father was putting Blanche's pyre on fire. Most of her good mood at having managed the task vanished as the flames went up – and she solemnly watched as Wrath himself came to greet her mother's soul, thankful to the Disciple for the small gesture.
This was a woman she hadn't even known, yet had given up her life for her.
This was the second mother who'd sacrificed her life for her as an infant.
Feeling her mood drop, Sesshoumaru picked her and Padfoot up softly, a low reassuring growl echoing through his chest, and started to talk about Blanche de Rive to her daughter, while starting the long travel back to Japan with his daughter and familiar – there would be no rushing back with a pup to take care of, especially a motherless pup.
Youkai parents were very protective of their children nowadays, their birthrate being far inferior to the human's one, and their numbers having drastically dwindled during the Edo Jidai. As such, Sesshoumaru once back in his estate, nearly put it into lock down, only trusted family friends being admitted in since he didn't have any other family anymore.
Tsukiko grew quite fast during the first few month, as was normal for youkai, and when she finally managed to take her human form at six month, she already looked like a five year old. She then completely stopped growing up, to her frustration.
"You should be proud." her father had commented "The first growing spur is to age you to an age at which you are capable of defending yourself, while still enjoying your childhood. Having stopped growing so young is a sign of power."
"I know." the young wolf admitted "But it's still annoying being so small!" a groan "I've been looking like a five year old for decades, and by the look of it, I'll still be looking like a child when I'm sent to the first youkai course of Mahoutokoro..." she protested "Most of the other youkai will be looking like they're at least the double of my age!"
This was true, of course.
Most youkai were sent for a first period of study of ten years at Mahoutokoro, which also was the main wizarding school in Japan, when they were in their fifties, in other words, children. They then came back as teenagers during their first century, and finally a third time, whenever they wanted, as adults, generally between their third century and first millenia.
The aim was to encourage the younger generation to meet magical beings, be they youkai, priests and priestess, or witches and wizards – all in the aim of unifying all the magical beings of Japan.
This was a policy that had started around the time they all decided to retire from the mundane world – first the youkai world, then the wizarding word, and finally, even the holy servants had come to understand that they didn't have a place anymore in the normal world.
Humans didn't want to acknowledge that the preternatural was by their side day by day, and they were far too numerous to wage war against without heavy losses.
As such they had decided to retreat behind wards and other enchantments, just as their brothers had done around the world, some going as far as migrating to alternate worlds and pocket realities.
¤.¤.¤
Before going to school, of course, there was one important thing to be done – something Sesshoumaru had been pushing back for years.
The official presentation of his only daughter and heir to their society.
Something which, as one of Japan's four Lords, implied a lavish party, and lots of important people – everything he despised, and that his daughter didn't like much more.
On the night of October 19th 1962, for her fiftieth birthday, all of Japan's influential magical being – and even a few from farther away, or even some non-magical – were assembled in the Taishou's main ballroom, wearing their best outfit and most expensive jewels.
As her father's heir, Tsukiko had started her training as soon as she was able to take her human form, knowing she would always have people coming after her and would always be expected to be the best.
She was as such wearing a formal outfit made for a warrior rather than a young girl – a seven-layer acromantula, or rather kumo youkai silk kimono and hakama, the outer-most layer white and hand embroidered with her Houses' colors and traditional depictions of Inu. Her hair wasn't done up in any elaborated style but left freely flowing, just like her father, enhancing the likeness between them and proving her worth as a warrior.
And as the guests were mostly there, finally came the moment where she was formally introduced, all attention turning toward her – and she quickly stomped on a small bout of stage fright as she answered her father's call and faced all of the people looking at her with a panel of emotions in their eyes, Padfoot proudly standing by her side, his fur clean and brushed, wearing Chaos' wheel and the House of Moon insignia around his neck.
But all of this was nothing to the realization she had that when she entered he room, the familiar heartbeat of Light had sped up – and that could mean only one thing.
Her husband, the man that had managed to ascend into godhood only to follow her from one life to the other, and that she hadn't seen until now, was here.
She started to look around discreetly while answering the multitude of well-wishers, be they truthful or not – eventually catching up her father's attention.
"What is going on, Tsuki-hime?" he asked in a lull between two guests
She blushed slightly at having been caught, then simply designated her wrist, where the wedding tattoo pulsing slightly was a silent witness of the fact her husband was alive "He is here."
Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow – while he already knew his daughter had found her life-mate literally several lifetimes ago, it didn't meant he wouldn't take advantage of his right as her father to torture – er talk with the boy.
"Bambina."
Tsukiko's face lightened up at the appellation – then she laughed.
"You're even smaller than me!"
And just as she had said, the youkai, while he clearly felt older than her, did look even younger than her, looking like a big two year old, or a small three year old – Sesshoumaru felt grudgingly impressed.
"Damned growing up to an age you can defend yourself at..." grumbled the dark-red, nearly black haired and light green-eyed youkai "I've spent decades trapped into a toddler's form! Of course I can defend myself in it! It doesn't mean I enjoy it..."
"At least this time you know you'll grow up eventually." Tsukiko smiled, lightly touching the fang hanging around his neck – a wolf fang amulet that had once upon a time acted as a temporary reprieve from his curse "So, who are you here..." she took a sniff "You smell like..."
"This is Shippou's elder." Sesshoumaru commented, having recognized the scent too "Kin Ryoichi, of the House of Leaf."
"That I am," the kit confirmed, bowing in front of his lord "I am honored."
"Your father does speak quite a lot about you and your siblings." Sesshoumaru commented, in a tone that for anyone else would have seemed annoyed, yet in truth was slightly amused "How many are there by now?"
"Six," Ryoichi answered in a long suffering tone "six in sixty years! I thought we were kitsune, not rabbits! And aren't our birthrates supposed to be low?"
Tsukiko laughing lightly, easily discerning behind the apparently upset tone, the fondness for his family her husband felt – the man had been an orphan in both of his previous life after all, even if he did have an aunt caring for him the second time around.
Sesshoumaru had later informed both that while their wedding still held, he wouldn't tolerate anything less than a proper courting and eventually mating, the youkai way, for his daughter – which of course the kitsune didn't have any objection to. He loved his wife, why would he refuse her another ceremony? Not to mention that as the daughter and heir of the Lord of the West, she was a true princess – and that meant traditions had to be followed.
¤.¤.¤
As such, Ryoichi spent the months following Tsukiko's introduction to society preparing a first gift as statement of intent.
Tsukiko had laughed lightly when Sesshoumaru had announced that he wouldn't be welcome until he'd found a proper gift "Ah, but chichi-ue, he already gave me his first kill." she had stated, her hands going to the necklace where an old bullet and a chaos wheel were hanging "And even his place in the reincarnation circle. What more could he gift me with?"
The inu lord was once more reluctantly impressed – even as a human, the man had understood the value of a courting gift, it appeared. Still, it only meant he had to find something better now that he was both a youkai and a god.
As for Ryoichi – he was thinking.
He may have been in his seventies, most of his abilities were revolving around fighting, as he took his duty as elder son of one of the generals of the west very seriously – there may have been priest and wizard specializing in hunting, but as a youkai he did consider in his duty to put down those that got eaten away by their baser instincts and let the corruption make nothing more than beasts of them.
Sure enough, there were also plenty of corrupted humans going around – but a youkai was both a lot harder to corrupt, and a lot more dangerous once corrupted.
Once upon a time, humans had believed them to be demon – and while that wasn't the case, their strong instincts and blood-lust made it far easier for them to descend into madness even without taking the corruption into account; as such youkai started a rigorous training from a young age, meditation being an important part of their early life.
A youkai not in control of his emotions was after all a risk, as much for himself as for other around him – and the more powerful the youkai, the more important it was for him to stay in control; which was one of the reasons Sesshoumaru could seem so cold to people who didn't know him.
Still, Ryoichi had a courting present to find – and more importantly, a coming of age to go through.
While his father had been surprised when he stated his intention of taking the trial, decades earlier than what was usual, he understood as soon as he heard that not only his son had found his mate, but that it was the Great Dog's daughter, who had been born with the marking of an alpha.
¤.¤.¤
"What the hell is this shrimp doing here?" a brash brown wolf asked when Ryo arrived on the trial ground
Another wolf, clearly his sibling, stomped on his foot "This is Shippou-sama's first born, idiot!"
"Doesn't change the fact he's a shrimp." the first one grumbled
Ryo chuckled, used to being underestimated because of his size – while it was a well-known fact that the younger you looked after your first growing spur, the stronger you would become, it didn't stopped the natural reaction of considering someone young looking as a child and not a fighter.
It was precisely the point of this first growing spur after all...
With a flicker of finger, he released his hold on his powers, the human appearance replaced by his more natural form – round ears replaced by elfin ones, two furry tails neatly curled on his shoulder – and flame bursting at the feet of each of the canine youkai who had been looking at him dubiously seconds before.
While it was amusing to see idiots think him weak because of his size, those people needed to realize right now his true power if they were to have a successful hunt.
Already, their eyes had widened – both for his clear mastery of Fox Fire, and for the number of tails he sported; two tails was something canine youkai gained with power, and most only gained their second tail during their first century. Ryoichi was seventy-two, yet already more powerful than most of them, they realized, as the only other canine sporting his second tail was a red vixen who was playing with illusions in a corner of the clearing while observing the scene with an amused smile.
"Glad to see you here, Ryo-dono."
"Why do you insist on calling me that, A-chan?" the black kitsune sighed
"Because it annoys you, of course. Beside you do call me A-chan. Which is revolting."
"I'll stop the day you stop calling me Ryo-dono."
They had, of course, already had this talk hundreds of time – but Akane, of the Fang Clan, was his closest cousin, being barely two decades older than him. She was also, he'd realized with surprise, the younger sister of Hiraku, leader of the House of Fang, and more notably, the kitsune Tsukiko had befriended in her life as Sawada Kazami.
Or rather, would befriend, since it wouldn't happen for several decades yet – multiple reincarnations were a confusing business like that, as they didn't really care about the flow of time...
Still, while she was rather annoying, Akane was family, and they had lived through their first hunt together, when Akane's own mother had been taken over by the corruption; these kind of events created strong bonds, and ever since, she had followed his lead in the fights they had gotten into, be they mock-fight against the rest of their siblings and cousins, or real hunt.
And so, rather naturally, Akane fell in line behind him – and the other canine all did too, seeing the only one who could have contested his power defer to him.
The hunt in itself, Ryoichi mused, was surprisingly easy – just like Tsukiko had described, a criminal had been given a chance to go free, and their job was to hunt him within an imparted time.
But where the odds had been stacked against them for her pack, his hunt was fair, no human had been unexpectedly thrown into their midst without knowing anything about what was going on around them, and since he'd assessed his authority from the start, the canine all acted well together.
They caught the criminal, a thieving tanuki, within six hours, and the fight that followed was quite short – the tanuki had hoped not to be found in the time they were given, since he knew he was weaker, and as such only gave a token fight before surrendering.
[Challenge LV90 Complete! Coming of Age...
Reward:+10XP, +1 Hunting Trophy
Bonus Reward: (25+12)XP ,"Alpha" soul-bound title unlocked (+1 Strength, +1 Agility, +2 Charisma)]
[Level up! You are now level 91!
+1SP]
"An honorable performance." the small pack was startle to realize that the one that came to greet them at the end of their hunt was no other than their lord himself "Have you decided then?"
In mute awe, they pointed toward Ryoichi, confirming the fact he had been chosen as their alpha.
An elegant hand turned his face upward, and two claws dug bloody trail on each side, right under his eyes, in the same pattern Tsukiko wore.
"Can you explain to me why the hell the Lord of the West himself came?" hissed Akane as the lord slipped back into his true form and left them
Ryoichi gulped at the menacing aura surrounding his cousin, then cautiously explained "Well, the reason I took the trial this early is because I've found my mate... I couldn't well court her as kid as she's already done her trial..."
Akane's eyes widened "The Moon's hime! You are courting the fucking daughter of the White Wolf and the Killing Perfection! No wonder he came himself!" she stated, voice rising in shock
Soon, all of the youkai of the group were staring at him, with both disbelief and respect in their eyes "Wow. You know, it takes a special kind of courage to court the only daughter of a youkai so powerful. You've got guts, alpha." the only inu of the group stated, amused
"That, or you're crazy." the same brash wolf that had been ready to challenge him earlier laughed, animosity forgotten during the hunt
"I heard she went on her first hunt in her twenties!" an awed fox stated – an if it was true, which Ryo didn't doubt, he was right to be impressed, most youkai didn't attend their first hunt until they went to Mahoutokoro
"Well she is a natural-born assassin." he couldn't help but brag about the bambina he loved
"But then again so are you," Akane sighed "it's either a match made in heaven, or hell."
The day following his coming of age, Shippou had taken his son to Totosai – the old weapon-smith, while quite barmy looking was still the best in his craft, and quite fussy about those he crafted his weapon for.
"Hnn. You don't really favor the sword." the craftsman quickly realized "Gifted with fire and... healing. Peculiar combination. Open wide!"
With a snap, two of the kitsune's fangs had been snatched – he sent a withering look at his father, that was laughing so hard he was nearly crying; to think the man was a renowned general! If people could see him in his everyday life, they would soon be disillusioned with the fox; he may be able to look serious when needed, it wasn't his true temper...
"I knew not telling you about it would be worth it!" Shippou was laughing, absentmindedly dodging the flame rushing toward him – he was used to his elder son untimely attacks after all; the kit had such a fiery temper!
"Could you avoid putting my shop on fire?" the old weapon-smith snapped, before huffing "Kitsune..." he grumble, pushing them out of the door "Out both of you! Come back in three days!"
"He didn't even say what he was going to make..." Ryo pointed out
"That's Totosai for you." his father shrugged "He's the best, but he's also very eccentric. Still don't worry, he knows what will fit you."
"How can he?" Ryo asked "I'm not even sure I know what fits me. I'm more used to firearm, after all... And well, I've got Leon for that." he stated, his chameleon familiar flicking his tongue in acknowledgment when he heard his name
Three days later, a very satisfied Totosai was welcoming them back into his shop – after threatening of killing them if they played with fire while inside...
Ryo stared at the blades silently impressed – while outwardly they didn't appear all that impressive, he could feel the power humming just beneath the metal, calling to him. What was even more surprising was the nature of the call – one called to his flames, which wasn't that surprising since between Fox Fire and Fire Manipulation, he was quite aligned with the element; but the second blade called, more unexpectedly, toward his Sun Flames and Healing Art...
This wasn't a blade made to kill.
"I see you've realized, then." Totosai commented with a self-satisfied smile "It has been a long time since I've had cause to craft such a weapon."
[Leveling-weapon Sun Blade (Lv1) received: +3End, +10 defense, +1 to all healing done and received
Leveling-weapon Star Blade (Lv1) received: +3Int, +10 damage, +1 Fire damage]
Ryoichi raised an eyebrow – while the stats of the new weapon were pitifully low, they were leveling-items, and by the time he'd raised them to his own level, they would be irreplaceable. No wonder Tsukiko always used FuurinKiba, the coming of age tanto given to her as a repayment for a life debt several life-times ago.
If it had been made by someone even only half as talented as Totosai, it must have never found its match during their lifes as humans.
The two large-bladed knives easily slipped into the hidden sheath built in his boots, which had until now been empty, and he bowed deeply toward the weapon-smith.
"Ah! So you do realize their value after all, little godling!"
He wasn't surprised Totosai had noticed – while it took a life and death situation for regular youkai to notice, powerful ones always seemed to realize that he lacked the scent of death. Among youkai, old meant powerful – and even if he looked senile, Totosai was very old.
Suddenly, he was struck by an inspiration, and turned toward the craftsman...
¤.¤.¤
December was just starting when the Taishou household heard word from Shippou's son again – Ryoichi's idea had to be worked on a bit, and he spent quite a bit of time with both Totosai and Talbot working on the project.
Because they had taken such an interest with Ryoichi's idea, they helped him – and tagged along to the lord's estate for it's presentation.
Seeing both craftsmen so eager to work on something intrigued Sesshoumaru, even if it wasn't immediately apparent – at their age, they didn't take an interest in things all so often, having already seen and done much. As for his daughter, her eyes were already on the hand-craft item, feeling its call as only someone attuned to both souls and blood could.
"It's a sheath for FuurinKiba," she immediately recognized "But... It's also more." she continued, her powers gently swirling around her and getting a feel of the item
Physically speaking, it was indeed a sheath – because Ryo had just realized how valuable Kiba was, not only as a gift, but for the sheer raw potential it had, he had also realized that the beautiful weapon rarely was seen outside of a fight.
And while in their previous life, the traditional weapon would have seemed weird – in this life, when not in the mundane world, in would be considered only natural for the hime of the House of Moon to be seen with a weapon worthy of her – and she was young looking enough that even a wakizashi would be too big for her, which meant Kiba was perfect for her for now.
But while the blade itself was beautiful, he remembered the grip and sheath weren't anything worth mentioning. This part of the work, Totosai had been most involved with, going to an old tree spirit he was familiar with for the wood.
But of course, while the finished product was beautiful, glossy wood more durable than any metal thanks to its youkai origin and expertly decorated, it wasn't all that it was, as Tsukiko had easily guessed.
"It gives off a feeling similar to the Ma no Kiba." she analyzed, referring to the talisman he'd worn life ago to get some respite from the curse he was then under, and was still around his neck even now as a memento "Since neither of us are cursed, I'd guess it must drain on our spiritual energy... but why?" she wondered – then her eyes widened "it's a storage, isn't it?"
"That it is. Just like the Ma no Kiba is for me now that I'm no longer cursed." he confirmed "Blood-locked too, which means no one could touch your weapon without your assent..." Tsukiko's eyes widened – this was getting better and better "It's a leveling-item too." around her, the craftsmen were curious about the term, but understood what he meant
"And because of the way it's attuned to you, I'll be able to have a feel about where you are!" she concluded with awe, her powers nearly flickering in the visible specter with her excitement "No more wondering how the hell I'm going to find you without knowing how you've incarnated! Oh I should to the same for you, shouldn't I?"
She reached toward the small-looking youkai, hugging him tightly under the rest of the youkai's amusement – then realized what she'd just done and blushed lightly – an amused kitsune preventing her from getting too far away from him by catching her hand.
"I guess your daughter approves." Shippou commented, laughter barely hidden in his voice
"It appears so." Sesshoumaru answered blandly
"Esh, you still sound so serious even when it's just us..." the golden kitsune complained
"Being with family doesn't mean I have to act like a ruffian." the lord answered back with an amused smirk – this was familiar banter for the two of them
With the smell of blood, they turned their attention back to their children – Tsukiko having swiftly cut through her palm to attune the courting gift to her.
[Leveling-item FuurinSaya (Lv1) received: +3End, +10 defense, 1/100 SP storage, charge rate 1SP/min and 1SP/min from Kin Ryoichi]
The sheath now attuned to both Ryo and her was soon tied to her waist, Kiba seamlessly slipping in – and Ryo letting pulse his powers lightly to close the wound, even if it wouldn't have taken long on its own.
"Well, now that your courting gift has been accepted," Sesshoumaru stated, getting up "let's get to the dojo."
While he wasn't easily cowed, having been the best hit-man in the world, then the military leader of a fifty million souls nation, the young kitsune still gulped a bit.
Even if he was confident in his abilities, he realized he was young, very young – and this was the Killing Perfection himself that was going to test him in this spar. No, this battle, because he sincerely doubted the inu would hold back much.
Well, at least he healed fast, even for a youkai.
Tsukiko was pouting as they marched toward the large dojo "Why are you the one having fun?" she grumbled at her father
"I'm not having fun, I'm testing your potential mate."
"Yes, because your not going to take advantage of the situation, nearly kill him without even breaking a sweat, and declare his performance as acceptable no matter how well he does?" she contradicted dubiously
"This Sesshoumaru would never act like a petty bully."
"Bah, that's not bullying, that's tough love, something you excel at. And you revert to speaking in the third person when you're telling a lie so big you perfectly know it's never gonna held."
"Don't worry musume, you're going to have plenty of occasions to play around with new people once you're off to Mahoutokoro."
"And they better not be a bunch of weaklings," she loudly prayed "or those are going to be ten long boring years."
The spar that followed went about as she had expected – even if Ryoichi held out exceptionally well, considering both his physical appearance and the overwhelming difference in level between the two.
Then the lord of the west formally acknowledged the black kitsune as her suitor, and they shared their youki – something that could be done either with a bite or a fang infused with youki. Since both still had the wedding mark from their first life together on their wrist, it was of course a matter of evidence to add the youki there. Since the mark was magical, it pulsed slightly, and incorporated the change smoothly.
Now, all the youkai would feel that both were engaged as soon as they felt their youki.
¤.¤.¤
Tsukiko's enrollment at Mahoutokoro, and the news that she was engaged created quite a stir.
This stir was nearly forgotten when the school official realized she was marked down for two courses by the automated registers – the Youkai Primary Study Cycle, of course, but also the Holy Servant Main Course.
A pureblood youkai just didn't have reiki, this had never been seen before!
Technically, holy powers, what was called reiki, were a special kind of spiritual powers – and youkai did have spiritual powers, as it was half of what made their youki, the other half being their life-force; but then again everyone had spiritual powers, even very feeble one. But reiki, this was different, that meant the person had been born blessed by the gods, and could eventually gain even more powers if she managed to gain a specific god direct approval...
Of course, she wasn't really surprised – this was Magic's blessing at work, quite simply. Still, the idea that while alive she would be recognized as her own priestess was quite amusing.
Since she hadn't expected the teachers to recognize her powers, she had never thought she would be able to take the holy servant course, so she had to think a bit about it with her father – finally, it was decided that she would follow the ten years of the Youkai Primary Study Cycle as scheduled, then come back later for the four years of the Holy Servant Main Course.
While initially weary of her, the monks, priests and other shrine maiden and priestess soon found themselves far too curious, and were regularly found hanging around her, and some of the other youkai of her class, wanting to understand better what made her different.
The fact that she was followed everywhere by Padfoot, who was clearly not a youkai but a holy servant of some kind himself, was the first thing they realized – and confirmation in their eyes that there was no mistake made by the school teacher's. She really must be a holy servant of some kind, no matter how strange it was.
For the youkai, those that had powerful parents already knew she was immortal, while the others, attention brought to her powers by their irregularity, soon realized the same. And that was it – youkai, as one of the species with the longest life-span on the planet, were also those that had witnessed the most the influence of deities on Earth.
Realizing that a honest to good goddess was walking among them was interesting, but not life redefining – they understood well enough that most of her powers were useless in the Mortal Realms. Sure, she was going to be powerful, but that had already been a given with her youkai ancestry...
But bets were soon made, about which holy human would realize the truth about their hime first, and when. With how long they lived, they had to find ways to keep themselves entertained!
It was a young priest in his second year of Holy Servant Specialty Course that guessed.
Like most in the Holy Servant Specialty Course, he was only a part-time student, taking care of his shrine the rest of the time, and because there weren't any true shrine maiden at his shrine, he had to take care of the mystical work alone, which was a hard task – especially given the fact that he wasn't the most gifted in terms of spiritual powers, and was successor to an old shrine, which hosted one of the most powerful wards hiding the magical beings of Tokyo.
But what the priest lacked in powers, he more than made up with his impressive knowledge.
And so it was that one day, rather than brag loudly about his young son's latest achievement, he wandered toward the eternally blossoming sakura tree she was resting under in the school's gardens, Padfoot lazily lying on her feet.
He rambled a bit about the school's history, which wasn't really a surprise, since History was his specialty, and passion, before finally asking "So, is it allowed to ask what's a goddess doing among us mortal? And how does it works? And what kind of goddess are you? And..."
Tsukiko laughed – now that he had started, his thirst for knowledge was getting the better of him – and her familiar barked his amusement with her, both thinking back to a bushy haired friend of hers with a passion for knowledge, back when she hadn't ascended yet...
A nearby youkai, hearing the questions thanks to his acute hearing, grumbled a swear word, as he had just lost the bet running among them. He'd been so sure it would be a more powerful student, but in the end, it was knowledge that had won.
The priest stopped himself, realizing what he was doing, and blushed, before bowing hastily "I'm sorry, Taishou-hime! I'm rambling... I'm Higurashi Daisuke, priest of the Sunset Shrine."
She raised an eyebrow at the name – this wasn't a coincidence, she knew as much. This man was related, one way or another, to the girl she had been sent to help. She hadn't worried too much about it until now, knowing Fate would do her job by guiding her to her charge, but it was good to finally found someone related to the hero she was supposed to help.
Still, the absence of Life Quest pointed to the fact that said hero wasn't around just yet – it was even possible she wasn't even born yet, since as a youkai her life-span was so long. But it was probably worth it to befriend the man – and he was the first among the humans to realize what she was!
"Then it's a pleasure to meet you, Higurashi-san." she smiled "And to answer your questions... I'm Death's sister, and my job is to help the chosen ones of the Mortal Realms go thought their destiny, and this is Padfoot, my familiar."
"Uh. A sort of heroes' god then?" he mused "I don't remember hearing anything about this..."
"Well, I am fairly young as a goddess." she admitted "I've only helped two heroes for now, so it's normal."
"I guess even gods have to start somewhere, I never realized!" he mused, fascination clear in his voice
"I didn't either, before I became one." she admitted easily – provoking another multitude of questions from the bright-eyed priest
This was the beginning of her friendship with Higurashi Daisuke.
The man loved his shrine, which had been in his family for generations, his family, and had a passion for History that made him the one to go to whenever you wanted to learn more about – well, nearly anything – even if he had a tendency to ramble.
She stayed in touch after he finished his studies, visiting often – the Shrine had already been the one her father took her to for the end of the year celebrations, she realized with some surprise.
Years went by fast, Daisuke growing older, and his son growing up. Just like his father, Mamoru was a late-bloomer, his holy powers awakening only around his fifteen birthday – but while he did his first course of studies, he decided to skip on the second, as he had fallen in love and married meanwhile, and didn't want to entangle his normal wife into the preternatural that was their daily lot at the shrine.
Daisuke had been disheartened by the decision, but respected it, even though he clearly thought that the new Mrs Higurashi was made of stern enough stuff to learn to live with the knowledge that there was more to the world than she'd known.
¤.¤.¤
While Daisuke became one of her best friends, he wasn't the only one she made of course – she had the most peculiar friendship with a formerly youkai-hating shrine maiden whose powers had awoken very early when her family had been killed by a corrupted youkai.
Orphaned at seven, an with her powers nearly out of control, she had been taken to Mahoutokoro, the large school being prepared for such cases, as it was a sad necessity – corrupted being tended to be attracted to those with high spiritual powers, be they wizards, holy servant or youkai – and while the magical government did it's best, it just couldn't be everywhere.
Saitou Saiyuri had been thrown out of her depth – suddenly learning that there was far more to the world than she'd know, and having to follow the Holy Servant Main Course so young. There wasn't really a set age for the course, it being built to leave enough free time to be coupled with normal studies, but she still was the youngest student in it – while it wasn't unusual for the holy servant to be found between five and ten year old, their powers were usually discreet enough that the family was notified, and the child encouraged to come to Mahoutokoro somewhere during their early teenage years.
This wasn't an option for Saiyuri, whose powers had been awakened violently.
Her first few months had been hell, between the nightmares and her out of control reiki, and by the end of her first school year, she had become closed off to the world, still very distrusting of the youkai and looking down upon her classmates as she was without any doubt possible the most powerful and most dedicated among them.
Then, Taishou Tsukiko had come to Mahoutokoro.
When the rumors about the ookami being gifted with holy powers had been confirmed, she was incensed – what were the gods thinking, giving their benediction to such... beast!
But she couldn't help but be curious too, as she was the youngest looking of the youkai, even younger-looking than herself – and when the Higurashi priest had started to become her friend, her curiosity had only grown. Clearly, the elder student seemed to have guessed something that all the youkai already knew, and he wasn't speaking, stating that if he had been able to understand, they so should they.
And he was right, of course, and she was furious with herself for not understanding what an elder, but far less powerful priest clearly had.
So she decided to approach Tsukiko.
"I really don't like the way you act, you know." the wolf had candidly declared within minutes "It's in your eyes. You look down on Daisuke-kun because he's not as powerful as you, you look down on me because I'm not human..."
"What would you know? You're nothing more than a spoiled hime!" she bit out, furious that the other girl had dared criticize her like that
"And you're an egoistical, arrogant brat." Tsukiko had replied easily "You may have a good grasp on your reiki, there will always be someone who's better than you at something."
"Tch, don't speak as if you understand anything about reiki! You may have the potential, you know nothing about our gift!"
Tsukiko laughed "Do you really think that just because I'm not following your courses, I don't know anything about the powers I was born with? Do you think that the first miko had the luxury of a school to learn about her gift?"
The youkai did something she seldom did – she released any hold on her aura, twin tails lightly floating and a wave of power flowing around her; Padfoot by her side seeming far more menacing than he usually did, shadows gathering around him as he looked at them as if daring them to approach his mistress.
Saiyuri eyes widened – because not only was the wolf princess far more powerful than her, or about anyone else in the school, but it also meant that not only her youki, but even her reiki was under her control in permanence. Something she, like most of the holy servant, if the stunned look around her were to be believed, never even considered.
Even her familiar was in control of his powers!
None of the youkai looked surprised – and neither did Daisuke.
"You know," the priest commented lightly as she reigned her aura in "I would have thought the touch of death far harsher."
"Death isn't cruel to those who don't defy him." the young-looking youkai explained with a smile "People tend to forget that there wouldn't be a Life without Death."
It would take a lot more time for Saiyuri to realize just what exactly was Tsukiko – but their friendship started that day.
Most of people at first glance though they hated each other, as the two girls were always insulting each other after all. But in truth Saiyuri had started to respect the princess with the realization that she understood her own powers, and respected them a lot more than most holy servant did in the main course studies.
A lot of holy servant didn't learn to see their powers as the gift they were, and only saw them as a tool, or a burden – and those people never came back for the specialty course, more often than not fading back into mundane life, just like Daisuke's son had.
Saiyuri understood her powers quite well – knew that they were as much a gift as a duty.
Because Tsukiko understood her own powers in the same way, she could respect her.
And with respect, friendship came in time – and little by little, the young girl came out of her shell, and learned to let go of her hatred.
¤.¤.¤
Saiyuri was far too young to be independent when she finished her main course studies, not even twelve year old yet – but with the studies finished, she could no longer stay at Mahoutokoro's orphanage.
Both Daisuke and Tsukiko found the idea of their friend being thrown back into the public system unpalatable. But Daisuke already had one child, and his Shrine didn't make enough money to take another one. So Tsukiko turned toward her father.
Many were surprised when the cold looking lord took on a young shrine maiden as ward of the House of Moon – those were people who didn't know him. Shippou, for his part, had laughed "I can't believe you're doing it again! If your enemies had realized your weakness was young children in need of assistance back in the days..."
The kitsune easily jumped away from the acidic, poisonous whip of youki, still laughing – but Sesshoumaru had no contradicting argument.
Saiyuri was far from the first ward he'd taken under his wing after all...
And so, Saiyuri started her life as a ward of the lord of the west – she was enrolled in a high end mundane school, had regular lessons scheduled the evening – be they about traditions or fighting – and spend at least one afternoon every week-end helping out at the Sunset Shrine.
By the time Tsukiko was finally out of Mahoutokoro, Saiyuri had grown up, becoming a strong, confident and elegant woman, with lush black hair falling in her back and piercing silver eyes. She was also wondering about going back to Mahoutokoro to start the second part of her studies, now that she was old enough.
But she had one request first.
"I want you to take me on a hunt."
Tsukiko wasn't really surprised.
While shrine maiden rarely became hunter, as their powers mostly revolved around healing, and erecting wards, there had been warrior maiden fighting against youkai once upon a time – and while she had made her peace with youkai, Saiyuri would always have a deep hatred against corrupted being for what they had done to her family.
Fortunately, she was far too aware of the risk of corruption to ever answer the call of vengeance. But that didn't mean she wouldn't do anything in her power to prevent other cases like hers to appear.
"Why me? Why didn't you go with one of the permanent hunters?" she wondered, knowing that between being a ward of Sesshoumaru and her own powers, most hunters would have taken her in a heart-beat
Saiyuri smiled "You're the one that saved my life, Tsuki-hime. If you hadn't incarnated in the living world for whatever reason, I would still be alone, and hating all around me. I would probably already have fallen for the corruption myself..."
"Oh, so you're aware of what I am now?" Tsukiko realized "You hadn't told me!"
A shrug "There wasn't a point. You are what you are, and that's it, it doesn't change who you are. Even if I do feel a bit stupid about trying to tell you about holy powers now." she said with a smile – proving how far she had come from the angry young girl she had been
Tsukiko smiled happily – and acknowledged the notification that had appeared on Chaos' Game with her friend's request...
[Challenge LV90! Birth of a new hunter...
Goal: take Saiyuri on a hunt
Bonus goal: let Saiyuri have one killing blow
Reward: +10XP, unlocks Hunting System
Bonus reward:+25XP, +1 Hunting Trophy]
She wondered briefly about the Hunting System – maybe those Hunting Trophy that had been pilling up near her money in her Inventory would finally be useful... Then her mind turned back to the hunt itself.
Her father had told her that there were rumors going around about a fallen neko from the panther tribes – a corrupted youkai that was powerful enough to have already killed two minor hunters going after him, and was apparently now followed by two other corrupted neko, this time simple wild cats.
She had planned to go with Ryoichi – between the two of them, they should be able to manage, even while keeping an eye on Saiyuri.
It was decided.
The hunt decided on, she quickly dragged Saiyuri to the armory – no way she was taking the girl into a fight without appropriate equipment!
"What about you?"
Tsukiko smiled cheekily "What about me?" she asked back, outfit changing with barely a thought
The first time she had seen the Wardrobe System, three lifetimes ago, she had though it only accessory – then she had quickly learned to take advantage of it, a fighting outfit and a regular one always slotted to be quickly equipped, and it had even saved her life a few times, letting her fight with appropriate clothing even during unexpected attacks.
Most of the time, the advanced Systems were locked when she started a new life – and unlocked during quests and other challenges. It was true in this life too, but she had unlocked the Wardrobe System during her first hunt just like Ryoichi had, and on their first common hunt, they had unlocked the Communication System, which included several form of communications which didn't exist yet, even if they would come – in other words, vocal chat, mail and instant messaging.
It was just too bad the Party System wasn't unlocked yet, it would have allowed her to share Chaos' Game with Saiyuri, as the Communication System would have been useful on a hunt...
"Show off." the girl in question grumbled at her instantaneous change of outfit, not even surprised by the strange power
"That she is." Ryoichi nodded as he barged into the armory "Hi Sa-chan, I heard you were coming along for the hunt!"
"Long time no see, Ryo-dono." she greeted back, not even batting an eye at his irruption while she was changing clothes – youkai didn't have the same concept of modesty as humans had, especially pack oriented youkai like any canine was, and as such she'd long since lost her own modesty among them
Beside, Ryoichi was Tsukiko's mate-to-be, and clearly had eyes only for his intended.
¤.¤.¤
Tsukiko, Ryoichi and Saiyuri were soon ready, Padfoot by their side.
The familiar, whose appearance was dependent on his level – and his level linked to his mistress – had hit a growing spur when Tsukiko gained her second tail, in her forties, and now had what probably was his adult height, even if he still had this cute disproportionate look young dogs often had. Which meant he could now do his part in hunt, when younger he'd mainly spent his time lazying around, most of the time on Tsukiko's head .
"One of the first thing to do during a hunt," Ryo explained "is to try and confine the threat within a warded zone. Most of the time, an active shrine. Wards will keep mundane people out of your way in those places."
"When you can't, you have to set up your own temporary wards," Tsukiko continued, showing the round inscribed stone in her hand "they are weaker, and last only a few hours, but it's better than nothing. They can either be bought, or hand-made."
"I buy mine, the bambina makes her own." Ryoichi stated "But it's better to still learn how to make at least one, just for safety."
That said, the wolf's powers flared briefly, and the stone started to glow – the glow growing quickly, encasing the whole area.
"Sadly, temporary wards makes you loose the surprise effect." Tsukiko pointed out "But still, it's better than no wards, since it protects civilians."
Saiyuri could only agree with this, given her own past.
A malevolent youki flicked in the air around them, as if daring them to come an attack – then a scream was heard.
The rushed in the direction it was coming from, soon coming upon the three corrupted youkai closing in on a small form.
"It's... not a child..." Saiyuri realized, surprised – she had really thought the sound was coming from a human, or a human-looking youkai
Instead, there was only a small cat – quite ordinary looking if it weren't for his forked tail, and the youki he emitted.
"A nekomata," Ryoichi recognized, surprised "I haven't seen one in years, they are nearly extinct!"
"Padfoot!" Tsukiko called, knowing her partner would know what to do
With a bark, the dog was already jumping into the fray, grabbing the small youkai by the neck and getting it out of the corrupted ones' reach, fading into the shadows while his mistress had rushed in too, Kiba already out of its sheath.
Ryoichi hadn't wasted any time joining in, Star Blade in one hand, Fox Fire dancing in the other.
Saiyuri hesitated for a bit, the vision of the monster they were fighting calling back the memories of those that had destroyed her life so long ago – then, seeing the two youkai fighting, one sporting three tails, the second two, she realized something.
Corrupted youkai didn't look anything at all like youkai – in fact it was only because she knew they'd been neko before that she could somewhat guess the familiar forms behind the darkness covering them and the vile feeling of their youki.
To think she'd once thought there weren't any difference!
And with that, she finally snapped out of the terror that had been paralyzing her, and took the naginata she had become proficient with over her years as Sesshoumaru's ward, reiki burning through it and piercing a monster that was trying to creep in Tsukiko's back, killing it in one shot.
The next moment, the hime was killing the second fallen neko – and jumping to help Ryoichi, that had been taking care of the strongest looking opponent, and with two of them fighting the last youkai didn't last long.
Soon, the last youkai was dead, the corruption eating away at his body, leaving only heavy ashes behind.
[Challenge LV90 Complete! Birth of a new hunter...
Reward: +10XP, Hunting System unlocked
Bonus reward: (25+12)XP, +1 Hunting Trophy]
[System Log: Hunting System
The Hunting System is made of several tabs: the Reward Tab, where you can use your Trophy to unlock multiple items and amelioration; the Index Tab, where you'll find all info known about different enemies, the Party Tab, where you'll be able to create and improve hunting groups.]
[Level up! You are now level 80!
+2CP, +1SP, +1PP]
[Perks
- Jack of All Trade: all skills learning speed is now normal, but no other modifier can ever be applied
- Polyglot: double learning rate of all language, you can start learning new language simply by hearing them
- Faster than the Wind: unlocks Shadow-Step Ability (progress scaled on Parkour skill)
- Dance of the Sun (1/3): +10 Battle Sense and Killing Intent (locks Dance of the Moon)
- Dance of the Moon (1/3):+10 Discretion and Parkour (locks Dance of the Sun)
available: 1]
Well, Tsukiko mused with a satisfied smirk - seemed like she'd gotten her wish: here was a Party System unlocked! Putting the thought to the side for now she turned toward Saiyuri "So, how are you feeling?"
"Different..." the young woman whispered, talking more to herself "I've spent all those years still afraid... And they just fell apart in one blow..."
"This is because you are an exceptionally strong miko." Ryoichi stated easily "Reiki is much more effective against corrupted youkai than our youki. Or rather, my youki," he corrected himself – Tsukiko did have holy powers too after all "still, don't make a mistake. Even if they are dangerous, we have the weapons to fight against corrupted beings, and you have the potential to be a very skilled hunter."
A familiar bark, and a smaller meow made them realized they had forgotten about the youkai they'd saved earlier.
"So, what is he, did you say?" Saiyuri asked
"A nekomata." Tsukiko answered, gently picking up the wounded beast to take a look at his wounds "Ryo..."
Her fiance nodded, a blade sliding in his fingers under Saiyuri's shocked eyes – then her eyes widened in surprise as the blade, rather than hurting the cat, healed him.
"This is the Sun Blade," he explained, seeing her surprise "It's a healing blade."
"I thought only Sesshoumaru-sama's katana could do this!"
"Well, technically," Ryoichi admitted "I can't resurrect people like the Tenseiga does, and I'm not up to healing life-threatening wounds with it just yet." a small smile "But its a good weapon."
Tsukiko smiled at this statement – the former hit-man always had a connection with healing, even before he became Life's brother, so the weapons Totosai forged for him were really quite fitting. It was quite surprising for such an efficient killer, but then again working in the taking life business meant you understood all the better the value of life, and how fleeting it could be...
"So, what exactly is a nekomata?" the shrine maiden wondered "I mean, obviously its a youkai, I can feel his youki... But its looks more like an animal than any youkai I've ever met."
"Uh, I thought this would be covered in the holy servant course." Ryoichi mused, surprised she didn't know the reason youkai beasts had nearly disappeared – this was something every young youkai knew about
"They talk about the Great Disappearance during the specialty course, not the main one." Tsukiko, who'd of course taken a look at the classes she'd eventually take, explained
"The Great Disappearance?" Saiyuri repeated, clearly unfamiliar with the term
"When the youkai started to go into hiding, the stronger ones, who were also the more intelligent were the first to fade from history. Within decades, most of the youkai that hadn't gone into hiding were either clans so retired they didn't think they'd need to hide, wild youkai who didn't want to stop hunting humans and mostly were but a step away from descending into corruption, and beast youkai, like our little friend here."
"Beast youkai can be quite intelligent, but there is a gap between them and Daiyoukai like us as wide as the gape between yourself and any regular animal." Ryoichi took over "And there used to be a multitude of beast youkai throughout the country. Then, in one night, all the youkai that hadn't gone into hiding disappeared."
Saiyuri eyes widened "Just like that?"
"Just like that." Tsukiko nodded solemnly "This is what convinced the holy servant to go into hiding too. With no hostile youkai left, they wondered how long it would take for mundane human to turn against them, since they were the last gifted beings still out in the open."
"Nowadays, the only beast youkai left are those that lived with youkai in hiding, since they were hidden by the wards. It means lots of minor species disappeared, and nekomata aren't all that common from the start." the little cat preened at Ryoichi's comment "They are part spirit, part youkai, each of them gifted with the manipulation of one element, and the oldest could even change form, going from regular cat to tiger beast in the blink of an eye."
As if he'd been waiting for this comment, the white cat jumped from Tsukiko's arm – and by the time he was touching the ground, was a large, fluffy beast, looking more like a fox than a cat, with lightning coursing across his fur.
¤.¤.¤
Saiyuri had thought about it a bit – and by the time she was registered back into Mahoutokoro, she had started following the youkai couple on their hunt, Tsukiko soon sharing Chaos' Game with her on their hunt and the trio had quickly gained respect among youkai and other magical being alike for their work as hunters.
And of course, she kept going to the Sunset Shrine every week-end, to help their friend, even more-so now that his son had stated his intent not to take over the role of priest – the wards of Sunset Shrine needed to be kept after all.
As for the nekomata they'd rescued – he was called Arashi, and had taken a liking to Saiyuri, becoming her partner on their hunts, the miko unlocking the Familiar Perk in the Hunting System as soon as she had gathered the dozen of Hunting Trophies needed for it.
Another hunter was soon added to their small hunting party when Kiba Akane finished her Youkai Secondary Study Course at Mahoutokoro, Ryoichi's cousin soon becoming a permanent fixture in their group, and a good friend with Saiyuri.
Then, in July 1981, little Higurashi Kagome was born – at the same time as halfway across the globe, little Harriet Potter was celebrating her first birthday with her family, not knowing it would also be the last, or that she would eventually grow up into a goddess.
Tsukiko was pretty sure Fate must have been laughing at her with this particular detail, especially now that she knew just how bored most of the gods were...
While she was sincerely tempted to sneak around and spy a bit on the newly born hero, Tsukiko restrained herself, and met the little girl only several months later, during one of the far too scarce visit of Mamoru to Sunset Shrine.
"Hello Kagome," she whispered, as father and son weren't paying attention to her "You and I, we're going to live some adventure together! It won't be fun everyday, but I promise it'll be worth it!" the baby in her arms gave her a bright smile
"You're getting mushy." her mate-to-be teased – when he'd heard that she was going to met this life's chosen one, he had of course decided to tag along
"It's weird, isn't it? To have lived a normal life all this time..."
"It was weird, but good. But I'm not complaining about the fact that things are going to start moving forward now."
She nodded – even if living a regular life - for a youkai - had been an interesting change of pace, she had been looking forward to meet Higurashi Kagome.
That year, she enrolled into the Holy Servant Main Course – if she was going to be helping a future miko, having at least a bit of formal education on the topic could only be useful.
And Ryoichi started to grow up.
After nearly a century stuck as an infant, the kitsune was beside himself with joy – and as soon as he outgrew his fiance, started teasing her about it, to the hime's despair and their hunting partners amusement.