127Disclaimer: I do not own Highschool DxD or Inuyasha, or any of its character's, and make no money of this.
Issei the Crimson Youkai
Chapter 1:
Legacy of the hanyō
Hyoudou Issei is your everyday child. Your everyday human child. Born in a modest family with a non-remarkable blood line.
While some people have the blood of great people that marked their names within the pages of history, Issei doesn't. If one would do his family tree they would all see that all most of his ancestors were simple people. Not even a single notable person.
Yes. His parents, grandparents and great-grandparents were all simple humans.
But what if we could check further. What if we could skip until we reach his ancestors from the Sengoku period, when the land known as Japan was once the playground for the Youkai race.
If we could track his bloodline during those days we may in fact learn that Issei may not have only human blood running through his veins.
Music. Decorations. Food stands. Costumed people. Yukata's. Carts. The streets of Kyoto was glistering all over with them. After all, today one of Japans most popular festivals, the Gion Festival is taking place.
The smiling faces of the children could be seen and their cheerful laughs could be hear. Among them was a particularly excited boy. His name was Issei Hyoudou.
His parents, Yamato Hyoudou and Akira Hyoudou loved their only child very much. It was very painful for them to see their child depressed after his best friend Irina Shidou moved to England. Their normally cheerful child had become melancholic after their departure, he had stopped smiling all the time, and would spend most of his time in the house.
The two parents considered taking some time off from work, spend more time with him and try to cheer him up. The idea that Akira proposed was a change of scenery. They looked up on the calendar and noticed that a festival was held in this period.
It was just the thing that Issei needed. His eyes were shining with excitement as they walked through the streets of Kyoto.
''Be careful not to get lost Issei.'' Akira told her son as they walked the crowded streets of Kyoto.
''I will!'' he chirped happily as his eyes was drifting on the many decorations on local stores.
His father Yamato couldn't help but crack a smile as he saw just happy and excited his son was. ''It's a while since he smiled like that.''
''Yeah, I was getting worried he won't get over Irina-chan's moving.'' Akira smiled bitterly, she really liked how her son and Irina got along, she would even image from time to time that the two of them would actually marry when they got older.
''It can't be helped. She was the only child close to Issei age in the neighbourhood, so the two of them were always together.'' Yamato remarked, truly Irina was a real tomboy, but she was a good kid nonetheless.
''If only Touji-san didn't have to get a transfer. '' Akira sighed as she remembered how her neighbour and friend, Touji got transferred overseas. She could only think it was because the protestant church wasn't so popular in Japan.
''That's the way things are.'' Yamato sighed as he scratched his head, he really like Touji. Even though he was a pastor he did share with him some pretty interesting discussion about women's breast. God bless the two man that their wife's didn't knew this small detail.
''I guess...'' She muttered as she drifter her eyes back to her son, only to notice that he was gone. ''Where's Issei?!'' she shouted desperately.
''Huh?'' Yamato blinked confused as he began looking around... his son was nowhere to be seen. ''Issei!''
''Wait up little guy!'' Issei shouted as he ran after a small fox. ''I just want to play.''
The fox seemed to have started running even faster as it heard the boy's words. As it continued running it saw a small alley, noticing how small and shallow it was it was perfect for the fox to lose trail of the small boy.
''Oh come on! I'm not gonna hurt you.'' Issei shouted as he began making his way through the alley, bumping and crashing nearby trash cans. As he reached the corner of the alley he only found a dead end.
''Where did he go?'' he asked himself as he looked around, trying to see if the fox was hiding. He heard the sounds of cans crushing from a nearby pile of garbage sacks. ''There you are!'' he shouted as he thought he discovered its hiding place.
He began moving the trash cans away, only to find that was nothing there, just a stone wall. He narrowed his eyes, not believing that there is nothing there. He began touching the wall trying to see if there some kind of lose brick or something.
He kept feeling the wall. Nothing was wrong until he heard a small click. The next thing he knew the wall in front of him opened and he fell inside it.
''Whaaaaaa!'' he screamed as he kept rolling down on a tunnel.
A loud crash sound could be heard as Issei landed on his head. A very visible bump forming on his head. He clenched on his head and pouted in pain. ''Ouch, ouch!'' He slowly got up and found himself in another alley, albeit a cleaner one. ''Where am I?'' he wondered as he began walking.
''Wow!'' he whispered in awe as he saw the street he found his way in. If the streets he was before he started running after the fox was filled with people for the festival, this street was empty, but it looked like he went back in Edo period. There were no longer any modern buildings around, only traditional Japanese buildings, there was also no cement under his feet, only earth. It was like he went back in time.
He could only walk slowly as his eyes drifted to the giant palaces and shrines that were in the nearby area. He was mesmerized by the change of scenery that he didn't notice that he bumped into someone. He instantly fell on his bottom.
''Oh my! Are you ok little one?'' a very sweet sounding voice said from his front.
''Huh?'' he looked above and was greeted by what was probably the most beautiful woman he even saw in his life. She is a woman in her early 20's, with a very voluptuous figure, long blonde hair and a matching pair of golden eyes. Her attire is one of a shrine maiden.
''What's this?'' She narrowed her golden orbs at the small boy in front of her. ''You're human aren't you little one?'' she asked with a curious yet sweet voice. She noticed how the boy was simply frozen, starring at her. She gave him a small warm smile to calm the boy. ''Oh don't be scared, I won't hurt you.''
''No... I'm not scared.'' He waved his hands in denial. A small blush forming on his face. ''It's just... I never met someone so pretty before.''
She looked at the boy for few moments, she raised her sleeve and covered her mouth, a small chuckle could be heard from her. ''My, my, aren't you a charming one.'' She then narrowed her eyes at how his clothes were covered in dust. ''Tell me how did you get here?''
''I followed a kitty and then I fell through a tunnel.'' He answered honestly.
''Kitty?'' she asked confused.
He nodded his head slightly, his eyes drifting as he saw a familiar looking animal on a nearby fence. He extended his index and pointed it behind the woman. ''Look there it is.''
She turned her head towards where Issei pointed. When she saw what it was exactly what he was pointing to she couldn't help but start laughing. ''Is something funny?'' he asked confused.
She slowly lower her body so that she was on the same height as Issei. ''Little one. That is not a cat, it's a fox.''
''Ehhh?!'' He shouted in shock. ''It's not a cat?!'' he asked confused. ''But it's fluffy like one and has whiskers!''
She chuckled lightly. ''Well, it is true that there are similarities, but I assure you that is a fox. Is this the first time seeing one?''
''Yeah!'' he nodded exited.
''What is your name child?''
''Issei. Issei Hyoudou.''
''Please to meet you Issei-kun. My name is Yasaka.'' She greeted him with a gentle smile. She then took a look at the direction he came from. ''Tell me Issei-kun, do you know the way back from where you came from?''
He opened his mouth to answer, but realised he didn't even know where he was. ''...No.''
''That is no good. I can't just let you wonder on these streets all alone.'' She told the small boy, he was lucky that it was her that he met, other people might not have been as welcoming as her.
''But my parents told me never to walk with strangers.'' He commented.
''They taught you good.'' She nodded proudly, enjoying the fact that the boy is still aware of common sense. ''But I'm sure they also taught you never to wonder off without them knowing, am I right?''
He blinked a few times as he realised what he forgot to do before going on his little fox hunt. ''Oh! I didn't tell them where I'm going!''
''Well Issei-kun I have to go and meet and old acquaintance and I can't take you back right now.'' She told the boy, his face saddening as he hear her. Yasaka couldn't help but get weak against those big puppy dog eyes. She sighed slightly as she considered an alternative. ''How about this, I can take you back, but you will have to wait until I finish my meeting.''
''Ok.'' he accepted with a big smile on his face. Yasaka took his small hand and the two of them began walking through the streets.
''Wow!'' Issei's eyes shined in awe as they laid on the impressive structure in front of him. ''Big temple!'' he said in awe. The building in front of him was so grand and majestic that it made the famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple of Kyoto look a small shrine compared to it.
''Impressive is it not?'' Yasaka hummed as the two of them were climbing the stairs of the temple.
''Yeah!'' he nodded excited.
As the two of them reached the summit, Issei could only stare in amazement. The temple looked impressive from the base but from top it was on a whole different scale. He was so absorbed with the architecture of the building that he failed to see a man approaching. ''Yasaka-sama!''
The two of them turned their head and were greeted by a man dressed in a light blue yukata and a matching bandana. Issei couldn't help but notice his rather pointy ears and his rather sharp canine's. ''Oh Yasushi, it's been a while.'' Yasaka greeted the man with a smile.
The man bowed respectfully in front of her. ''Indeed it has. I apologize, but our lord has yet to arrive, so I would kindly ask for you to wait for him.''
Yasaka put her hand over her cheek and sighed lightly. ''This is rather unfortunate. I promised this child that I will take him to his parents once my meeting is over.''
''Child?'' the man asked confused, looking around Yasaka.
''The child next to...'' Yasaka trailer, only to find that Issei was no long next to her. ''Issei-kun?!''
''This sure is a cool place.'' Issei told himself as he strolled around the courtyard of the temple.
''Huh?'' Issei froze in place as he felt something unusual. It felt like a something warm trailed on his back. It was something foreign to him, but it wasn't unpleasant. Like the feeling of someone returning home. ''What was that?'' he wondered confused as he looked around, trying to see if there was something around. His eyes stopped as they saw a nearby shrine. ''Is it coming from that shrine?''
He quietly entered the shrine, looking around to see if there was anyone around. He walked down a corridor until he reached a room. He slowly entered the room and was impressed by everything he saw inside. ''Wow!'' his eyes drifted on a nearby glass display that held a bright red yukata on a wooden mannequin. Around its neck was a bead necklace. ''That yukata is shinny red.''
His eyes then drifted on display in the middle of the room. ''A sword?'' he wondered. In the display was a sword, more precisely a traditional Japanese katana. But it looked like it has long surpassed its time of usage. It looked so frail and rusty that a simple swing would be all it would take to break it in pieces. ''It looks old and rusty... but something feel weird about it.''
Issei couldn't help but feel a strange feeling of attraction towards it. As if it was calling for him. He slowly extended his hand, his fingers almost gripping the handle of the sword. ''What are you doing brat!?'' an enraged voice shouted from behind him.
''Gahh!'' Issei shirked in fear. He turned around and saw Yasaka and Yasushi, the later looking very angry.
''How dare desecrate our clans sacred treasure?!'' Yasushi asked furious as he began walking towards Issei.
''I-I d-didn't m-mean to.'' He stuttered as he took a few steps back in fear.
''Now, now, Yasushi.'' Yasaka patted Yasushi on the back, calming the man. ''He is but a child, he is simply curios.''
The man let out a tired sigh, letting his rage vanish, as angry as he was he couldn't cause a scene in front of an important person like Yasaka. ''I understand that Yasaka-sama. But this is our clan's sacred treasure. Should a scratch appear on it, I will have to pay with my head!''
She cupped her cheek with her hand, showing a sly smile. ''How odd. Judging by the number of scratches on the blade I'm surprised you still have a head.''
''This isn't a laughing matter. Should my lord find out that let a human child in the shrine I will have to dust the whole temple with my own tail.'' He trembled in fear. His master was a rather strict individual after all.
''Do not concern yourself. I will make sure that he won't punish you.'' she told the man. Her gaze then went towards Issei who was trembling in fear, either by shame for what he did, or by the fear of what will happen to him. ''Now Issei-kun. Didn't you promise me that you would behave nicely until I was done?''
Issei avoided eye contact with the beautiful lady, he didn't think he was doing something bad. ''Umm, I didn't mean to wonder off like that but...''
''But?'' Yasaka asked curious.
''I don't know how to explain it...'' he admitted honestly, deciding to tell them the truth even though it sounded a like lie. ''I started having a weird feeling that kept drawing me here.''
''A weird feeling?'' Yasushi narrowed his eyes.
''Yeah... and when I entered this room I felt it coming from that old rusty sword.'' He told as he pointed his finger towards the mentioned weapon.
''Hey! That's our clan's sacred treasure!'' Yasushi protested, he could feel his nails turning into claws due to his indignation.
''From the sword you say?'' Yasaka narrowed her eyes to the boy. She decided to trust the boy and check on the sword. As her eyes laid on it she felt her heartbeat stop. For a normal person eye sight nothing was wrong, but for Yasaka it was different. She could see it, the sword was vibrating, as if it was reacting to something. ''...Impossible.'' she muttered in disbelieve.
Yasushi was confused by her reaction. ''What is it Yasaka-sama?''
''Yasushi... perhaps my age has begun affecting my sight. But tell me...'' she took a moment and looked at the weapon again. ''Is the sword reacting to something?''
''What?!'' Yasushi shouted. ''T-This should be impossible!'' Yasushi shouted, almost swallowing his tongue from the shock. ''The sword hasn't reacted in over 500 years, since its last owner died!''
''Is that so?'' she wondered as she looked at the sword, than back at Issei. She did remember stories about this weapon, also the fact that ever since this weapon has been brought to this temple not even the strongest warriors could make it react. She needed to do some test before speculating anything. ''Issei-kun, I know this all seems unusual and perhaps scary, but could you please cooperate with us for a few moments.'' She gently asked the boy, calming the sense of fear he had. He slowly nodded his head in confirmation.
''Good boy.'' She patted him gently on the head. ''Now I will ask of you to touch the sword, do it as gently as you can.'' She told him as she held the blade in her hands.
''O-Ok.'' he nodded as he slowly as he extended his hands. He gently gripped the handle of the sword, a warm sensation filling his body as he took it.
Yasaka could only stare in awe after what she witnessed. Issei may not have felt it, but when he took it his body got covered with energy emanating from the sword. Something that should have been impossible. ''Tell me Issei-kun, do you feel anything unusual from the blade in your hand?''
''I don't know... rather than say it feel weird, it actually feels really natural... like it was made for me.'' He explained.
''What in the world is going on?!'' Yasushi wondered in shock. ''I could understand if the sword would react to a fellow youkai, but a human...''
''Yes, it is most intriguing. The swords shouldn't react to him, unless...'' her eyes widening in shock as she thought of the reason why it happened.
''Unless what?'' the young Yasushi asked confused.
Yasaka was quiet, thinking of what would happen if what she is thinking is right. If she handled this situation right, she might just gain a new ally, but should she handle it wrong, she might just anger the strongest youkai alive. ''I'm afraid what I am speculating is something I must discus with your master.''
The group went to the main hall of the temple. Yasushi had took them to one of the waiting rooms, as per Yasaka's request.
''Now Issei-kun, I know this might be a bit scary, but I will ask you to be brave.'' Yasaka told Issei gently, patting his head.
''O-Ok.'' he said bashfully, a big blush covering his face.
She smiled at him, enjoying his cooperation. ''Now please wait here, and I mean wait. The man I am about to meet is a very serious person and won't enjoy if you are not here when he calls you.''
Yasaka was now seating seiza style on the tatami covered floor. Her eyes were closed as if she was sleeping. Her ears twitched and she opened her eyes. The next moment the sliding doors opened and a man was revealed.
To call this man handsome would have been an insult to his inhuman beauty. He is tall and slender young man, with fair skin with pointy ears, golden eyes with slit pupils, and waist-length white hair with short bangs. On his forehead a purple crescent moon could be seen beneath his bangs, two magenta stripes on each cheek, and a magenta stripe on each eyelid.
His attired consists of a white kimono with a red and white cherry blossom flower crest at the collar and sleeves. On his left side, two katana's with handles of different designs were tied around his waist.
The man narrowed his golden eyes on Yasaka sitting from. ''I apologize for arriving late Yasaka.'' He apologized with a stoic gaze, and a calm voice.
Yasaka offered the man a gentle smile as he sat in front of her. ''It is no problem old friend. As a small side note, I wouldn't have demanded this meeting if you simply attended the periodic meetings of the youkai clan leaders.''
The man was impassive, his eyes never blinking. ''You know very well that my clan only attends events that are concerning ourselves. The meetings you held Yasaka are usually gatherings to complain about the mischief's caused by the different residents of our city.''
''Such are the duties of a leader old friend. You might have knew this if you would have accepted the seat as faction leader in my place many years ago. If I recall correctly, most of our followers wished for you to lead.'' The beautiful woman commented as she remember the days when the leader selection was made.
''If the requirements of leadership were only strength alone I would have been selected as leader without a doubt. But you were more capable in maintaining our city's ley lines and were much more capable in diplomatic matters.'' He informed his old friend.
''That is true. Your sense of pride was also a bit of a problem, so you acting as our leader might have led to war.'' Yasaka commented, a sly smile forming on her lips.
''I don't deny that. But unlike some other people I lead my clan properly, so my clansmen don't cause any problems.'' He replied stoic, uninterested by her teasing attempts.
A small twitch was visible from her eyebrows. ''Are you by any chance impaling that my clan is causing problems old friend?''
He simply looked at her, his face not displaying any emotion other than calmness. ''None of such. But I do have to admit that the kitsune clan is rather famous for their tricks and mischiefs.''
''Normally I wouldn't have let that remark slide, but the problem at hand implies me to postpone it.'' Yasaka commented with a small sigh, if the two of them would have started arguing, there was doubt that they would be doing until tomorrow.
''I see. Was the subject of the last meeting of such importance?'' he asked curios, normally the meetings are anything but entertaining.
''No. It was just a regular meeting as you called and I simply came to ask of you to attend the next one.'' Yasaka informed him.
''Then what has changed?''
Yasaka took a moment and collected herself, she needed to be very careful how she handled this. ''Before I will make any accusations that might turn out wrong and enrage you, I must confirm some information's with you.''
''Such as?'' one his eyebrows was raised.
''It's about your clans sacred treasure.'' She told him serious, any air of amusement was gone.
''What about it?'' he asked unimpressed, it was not the first time he discussed with her about it.
''Old friend, you told me tales about that weapon and its former wielder on some occasions during the years we've known each other.'' She began, remembering the nights the spent in the gardens of the temple sharing tales of their lives before arriving in this city. ''You told me how that sword was crafted from your fathers very own fang and how it was a weapon that could slay 100 enemies with one single swing. You also told me that there were some conditions in order for one to use that weapon, were there not?''
''Yes.'' He confirmed her question. ''The sword while not fully sentient, it does possessed a mind of its own and could chose the people who wielded it. From my own personal experiences and knowledge there are two basic conditions for one to wield it.''
He took a moment and remember his personal experiences with the said weapon, his left arm throbbing in pain.
''The first is that the person who wields it must possess youki, which unlike chakra that can be used by different races, is available only for those who possess youkai blood.''
She nodded to herself. She knew that youki was an energy only available to those who possessed youkai blood, it was for that reason that Youjutsu was only available for youkai while Senjutsu could be taught to other species. ''And the second?''
''The second condition is that the user must care for humans, in essence one who wishes to use its power to protect a human out of friendship or out of love can truly use it.'' He explained calmly. ''By those two conditions, a person who holds malice towards humans can never wield it, but also a creature outside of the youkai race cannot wield it.''
Yasaka nodded, it did make a lot of sense actually. If the weapon was forged from a youkai part for a youkai, it made sense that only youkai's could use it. But if that was true it only raised more question. ''If those conditions are true, then how is it that the weapon hasn't had a new master in over 500 years?''
''I am not sure myself.'' He admitted uninterested. Yasaka was lucky she master the art of seiza sitting, otherwise she might had crashed on the floor out of shock. ''In theory that weapon can be used by others, but it was a weapon crafted for my half-brother.''
He closed his eyes, flashes of the last days the weapon was wielded. ''The weapon perhaps simply found no one truly worthy of it to wield it. You must agree that among the youkai there are very few who could admit that they truly care for humans. While there may have been many who sought its power, ever since its former owner died no one has been able to awaken it. Years have passed and people have simply stopped trying to claim its power, many believing that swords power died together with its owner.''
''I see. So you decided to keep it as memento of your brother?'' Yasaka asked curious, in all the years she knew him, the man in front of her never really talked about his brother.
He was silent for a few moments, contemplating why he did it. ''Perhaps. I personally never got along with him, but still a half blood as he was, he became a hero for the inu youkai, so I simply built him a shrine in his memory.''
He narrowed his eyes, his meeting Yasaka. ''But I'm curios Yasaka. Why is it that you suddenly ask of all of this?''
Yasaka sighed, she knew that this will displease him, so she decided to stop beating around the bush. ''... I found a child and brought him together with me to this temple. He ventured into the shrine and found the sword... it reacted to him.''
For the first time since they began their little meeting, no for a very long time since she knew him, the man reacted, his eyes widened in shock. ''What?'' he asked, his voice was cold and dead serious.
''I know this sounds like a bad joke but believe me it isn't, Yasushi can attest my words.''
''Who and where is this boy?'' he demanded coldly.
''He is in the next room. But before you demand answers from him there is one piece of information you must know.''
''What is it?'' he narrowed his eyes, wondering what else could be more important.
''He is full human.'' She stated seriously.
''Are you trying to anger me Yasaka?'' he asked in a calm cold manner, a powerful aura materializing around him. ''After what I told you about the sword, you dare to claim that a human managed to make the sword react to him?''
''I knew from the start that this will anger you.'' She sighed tiredly. ''But then I remembered something you told me about your brother, more precisely about his children.''
''Where are you getting at?''
''We both know that he was only half youkai. It is common knowledge that half-bloods are persecuted by both humans and fellow youkai. To find a child of a human and a youkai was rare during the period he lived. But...'' she trailed, her eyes fixed on his. ''It was even rarer to find the child of a half-blood and a human. You told me that children he had together with a human girl didn't inherited any of his youkai blood.''
''Indeed. As you already know half-blood have a time during the month where they lose their powers and become the same as humans. Because of this he would turn human during the night of a new month, when the moon wasn't visible. There is a chance that his children were the result of him mating during the moonless nights. From what I saw neither his children, his grandchildren nor his great-grandchildren inherited his youkai blood, they were full human.''
Yasaka nodded, it was just as she thought. ''What about his further descendants?''
''I have never personally concerned myself with his descendants. I didn't have nor the interest or the time.'' He informed her, his already cold stare became even colder. ''I'm sure you remember that during that period the Biblical faction was slowly finding its way within our homelands.''
''It was one of the darkest periods in our peoples history.'' She nodded, her cheerful face turning into a bitter and sad one. ''The missionaries led by Francis Xavier who arrived in Kagoshima in 1549 brought more than the words of their so called God to our lands.''
''When their fellow Christian's began following them, they also influenced others races of their Biblical faction to seek our lands. The devils and the fallen angels began spreading their influence all around our domains, killing our kind, forcing us to hide as they slowly proclaimed regions of our mother land as their own.'' She stiffened as she remember the old and dark days.
''It wasn't enough that we were already in conflict with the humans, but the Christian's brought weapons and gunpowder to them and taught them how to use it against us.'' She bit her lower lip in frustration as she remember how many of her friends and clans men died by their weapons. ''And the weapons their God created, the sacred gears began manifesting around us, and the humans began using those against us as well.''
''We were forced to go into hiding. Seclude ourselves from the world, living in fear that our race might disappear.''
''Those were indeed dark days. It doesn't matter how strong one might be, if one is alone the threat of death will always hunt him.'' He admitted to himself, even though he never had any problem fighting enemies alone he did had to admit that he feared for the safety of his companions. ''But alas, there was one good event that came out of all of it.''
Yasaka narrowed her eyes and looked confused at the white haired man in front of her. ''What could have possibly be created from the horror and blood shed that took place?''
''Unification.'' He stated resolute. ''Yasaka, I am sure you remember how the youkai were before the Biblical faction appeared.'' He told the woman, making her remember the non-existing youkai society from the Sengoku period. ''We were scattered, divided. Very few of the youkai clans would actually consider friendship with another clan. Most of the youkai clans were at war with each other, many out of simple rivalry or other petty reasons. ''
''Many clans were at war with themselves, unable to unify with their own kind.'' She continued as she remember how many youkai chose solitude than fighting as comrades.
''My own clan was one of those solitary clans. Each individual choosing solitude over acting as a pack, for different reasons. I myself traveled the lands by myself, with only two trusted comrades.''
''But it all changed when we were invaded. We simply had to set aside our differences and old grudges in order to survive. Many clan leaders had different visions and desires, but we all could agree that we couldn't let some foreign power strike us down. I'm sure you remember the first clan leader summit that took place many years ago.''
''How could I forget...'' she sighed as she grabbed the bridge of her nose. ''We almost ended up killing each other due to still lingering grudges.''
''Yes... but at the end of the day we have formed an alliance and declared Kyoto as our home capital. While we weren't able to stop the influence and invasion of the Christianity in our country, we able to make sure that we weren't overrun by them. Even though the devils have claimed certain territories in our lands as their own, they only claimed insignificant ones.'' He stated.
''While it could be easy to simply attack them and drive out of our home land, it would only lead even more war and blood shed with the devils. Should that happen, other factions might benefit from it and get involved.'' Yasaka noted.
''It was decided by Amaterasu-sama that we shall leave the devils be. While it may leave a sour taste in our mouths we don't have a choice but abide. After all, the youkai faction is nothing but an extension of the Shinto Pantheon. As long as the gods would not descend from their fields from Takama-ga-hara we shall not go on full war against the invaders. Besides the invaders did learn to think twice after they angered Susanoo-sama...'' Yasaka shivered as she remembered the day when a group of devils desecrated a shrine dedicated to Susanoo and badmouthed him and his wife Kushinadahime. The devils learned that day that the storm god of the Shinto pantheon was not someone they should anger... especially if he descended on the battle field with the Totsuka-no-Tsurugi in his hands. It took the combined effort Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi to stop their brother from destroying the land himself in his rampage.
He nodded his head. He never really considered the Shinto gods of great importance, but after witnessing the power of one of their key leaders he noted to himself not to be disrespectful in front of them. ''Indeed. But as years passed, and our desire to protect ourselves grew, we youkai learned to accept ourselves despite our differences. I would have never imagined that I will live enough to see children of different clans laughing and playing together.''
''Truly, I would have only thought it was nothing more than fable dream.'' She admit to herself.
''Memories aside Yasaka... what do the descendants of my brother have to do with this boy you speak of?'' he asked, trying to go back on the original topic of the discussion.
''If you would have honored us with your presence at our meeting perhaps you would have known.'' She chuckled lightly, only to get a cold stare from the man. ''That aside, I may have a theory about why the boy could make the sword react even though his human. Have you ever heard of the term 'atavism'?''
''No.'' he admitted.
''An atavism is something some may call an evolutionary throwback, the person who it occurs in will experience a reappearing of traits which had disappeared generations before. There has been a similar case recently with a human couple in Kyoto. When the mother gave birth she discovered that she gave birth a youkai. Which should have been impossible considering that both were human. Blood tests were made and it was confirmed that it was indeed their child. They done tests and checked their family trees for any possible youkai ancestor. They discovered that the man had and ancestor who was youkai, but it was 11 generations ago.''
''Some of our doctors speculate that there are many humans that have youkai blood running through their veins.'' She explained to her old friend. ''They believe their youkai blood entered a state of dormant in order to preserve itself, they also believe that they could gain their respective youkai powers if they found a way to awaken their blood. If they awaken their blood, the atavism should occur and the person might turn youkai or the very least a half blood.''
''Give me a moment to see if I understand.'' He wasn't amused nor angered, he simply stared at her stoically. ''You believe that the sword reacted to the boy because he has dormant youkai blood in his veins and you believe that he might be able to awaken it and his youkai powers, then in return awaken the sword?''
She nodded her head. ''Yes. But there's more to it, I actually believe that the reason the sword truly reacted to him is because it felt familiarity to the boy. I think that the boy might be a descendant of your brother.''
''You do know that the odds of that being true are very thin don't you not?'' he asked her.
''I know this may sound like a childish story. But I want to believe it's true.'' She told him firmly.
He closed his eyes for few seconds wondering what would happen if it was true. ''Let's consider it may be true. What would you do then?''
''Why ask him to join our faction of course.'' She told him with a smile.
''Why?'' he asked confused.
''You know very well that if word gets out he might have dormant power, other forces might try to recruit him. Would you allow the risk of him fighting against us?'' she told him, her concern was true. Other races such as devils are always on the hunt for potential powerful allies.
A sly smile formed on Yasaka's face. ''Besides, won't your fellow clans man rejoice if the descendant of their hero would join the youkai faction?''
He took a moment and thought about it. Even though he is a calm and collected individual, his clan was a rather wild one, so having the descendant of their clans hero join might actually give them an occupation other than search for fights with other youkai. Besides it didn't hurt to have to have more fighters in his ranks. ''Very well. If this child proves to be who you claim than I will accept him as a member of my clan.''
''Then it settled.'' Yasaka smiled at him and his understanding.
''Yasushi.''
''Yes my lord!'' the young youkai responded.
''Bring the sword from the shrine.''
''Understood.'' He nodded as he ran towards the shrine.
''Yasaka.'' He narrowed his eyes on the golden haired lady. ''I want to meet the boy.''
''Very well.'' She nodded as she went to a nearby door in the room. ''Issei-kun you may come in.''
The young brown haired boy walked bashfully in the room. When he saw the man in the middle of it he wasn't sure if he was a man or a woman. While he was clearly a male, his gentle features made one doubt it for a few moments. Issei sit on a nearby pillow in front of him, the man's eyes locked on him, analyzing his every move. ''Umm... hello.'' He greeted a bit shy.
He narrowed his eyes on the boy. Truly he was just a human child. ''Tell me child, do you know why you're here?''
He took a moment and wondered what was exactly what he did wrong, was it the fact that he touched the sword, or the fact he entered the shrine itself. He decided to go with the first. ''I played with a sword I shouldn't had?''
''Not quite. Yasaka here believe that we might be related.''
Issei looked at him for a few moments and blinked a few times. ''Huh? But we don't look alike at all mister. I don't have long silky white hair, or golden eyes.''
''That's a valid point.'' He nodded, truthfully that was a pretty good reason to doubt him. ''That aside, I will do a small test, if we are related I shall know.' But before that. There is something that you must know. Yasaka here and I are youkai.''
Issei tilted his head slightly and blinked a few times. ''Youkai?''
The man sighed and decided to take a direct approach. ''Yasaka if you may?''
''Very well.'' She nodded, while her friend could show him his own true form, it was rather big for the room they were currently sitting in. The next moment from her back 9 golden fox tails erupted, on her head a matching pair of fox ears appeared, her pupils were no longer round, instead they were vertical slips.
''...'' Issei froze as he gazed upon the hidden features of Yasaka.
The woman was expecting a reaction like this, most humans would scream 'monster' by now. ''Is my form scary?''
''How cool!'' Issei shouted with small stars in his eyes as he began running around Yasaka, checking her from every angle. ''Fluffy tails!'' he exclaimed as he grabbed one of her tails and rubbed it on his face.
''Kyahh!'' the woman screamed in embarrassment, a huge blush taking over her face.
Issei let go of her tail and looked concerned at her. ''Did I hurt you?''
The woman was frozen for a moment, she placed the sleeve of her yukata over her mouth. Truthfully the particular tails he grabbed was a really sensitive one. For a kyuubi such as Yasaka to be grabbed by that particular tail was akin to a random man grabbing a woman's bottom. ''N-No, I was just surprised.'' she tried to compose herself. ''But does the fact that I am a youkai not scare you?''
''Why would it?'' he asked confused. ''I mean you never did anything to make me think badly of you.''
''Such innocence.'' Yasaka said in awe, not remembering the last time that she met a human who was not truly afraid of her kind.
''Or foolishness.'' The white haired man commented. He wondered if the boy would have the same answer if he knew what a youkai really was.
The doors of the room were opened by a familiar man, carrying an all too familiar sword. ''I have brought it my lord.''
''Good.'' He nodded as Yasushi place the sword on the table in front of him. His eyes the drifting on the young Issei. ''Child!''
''Y-Yes!'' he responded nervously.
''Unsheathe the sword and hold it.'' He ordered the young human boy.
''O-Ok.'' he nodded as he took the sword in his hands. Slowly he began unsheathing the sword from its battered up sheath.
As Issei help the old sword in his hand, the white haired man could feel it react. Not only that but one of his own swords he had tied around his waist was reacting as well. ''Interesting. Now to see if it's true.'' He took his sword and revealed, a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. He extended the blade and let it touch the old sword.
The moment the two blades met, a warm and shiny light began covering the two weapons, the light flowing into the two people holding them, their hairs flowing beginning to flow in the air. ''Pretty.'' Issei muttered as he watched the show of light. As the lights danced in the air, he could hear a soft whisper from the blade.
''I see.'' The man nodded as he retracted his sword, the light disappearing the moment he did. A look of nostalgia and understanding forming on his face. He heard the whispers of the two blades, telling him the truth. ''So it's true isn't it Tenseiga?'' he asked his sword as he resheath it. ''Boy!''
''Y-Yes!''
''What is your name?''
''I-Issei Hyoudou.'' He presented himself a bit scared.
''Issei... 'The first generation', a fitting name. It seems that my clan's treasure, the Tessaiga has recognized you as its new owner and as my brother's descendant.'' He sit on one his knees and looked the boy in his eyes. ''I will ask you only this, do you wish to wield this weapon?''
''...'' Issei was silent for a few moments and looked at the old sword that he called Tessaiga. Truth to be told he didn't really know what was going on, but the feeling he was getting from the weapon was something that he felt that was missing in his life. ''Yes... I don't know why but I feel like that sword is calling me.''
''Then I invite you to join my clan.'' The man told him.
''Huh?'' he blinked a few times, not understanding what he meant.
''It is only natural. As a fellow inu youkai you should live with your own race.''
''Wait, wait, wait!'' he waved his hands desperately to stop him. ''I'm a youkai?'' he asked in disbelieve.
''Yes. It is the only reason why the Tessaiga reacts to you. Also my own sword, the Tenseiga has confirmed it, there is dormant blood of the hanyō Inuyasha in your veins.'' He told him as he got up from his knee.
''But I don't have any tails or claws...'' Issei commented while checking his nails..
''You don't... for the moment. If you will join my clan, you will train and learn to awaken your powers.'' He turned his back on him and walked a few steps, then he changed his gaze back to him. ''But that is only if you desire to do so.''
''I would want that... but I need to ask my parents.''
''You cannot do such a thing.'' Yasaka told him.
''Why?''
''We youkai are a hidden race. We cannot let our existence get discovered by normal humans. We are already breaking many rules by letting you know all of this.'' She informed the young boy.
''But... I live in Kuoh... I can't just leave like that.'' He admitted, though the idea of leaving and moving here didn't sound so bad.
''Kuoh you say... that land is under devil jurisdiction. It would be risky to let you live there.'' Yasaka remarked.
''Devils?'' he asked confused, first youkai, now devils, what's next angels, he wondered.
''We can cover lessons about other races later. Just answer honestly boy. If you truly wish to wield that weapon and believe you can bare the responsibilities that come with it, I will make arrangements for you and your parents to live in this city.'' He told the boy. ''Now answer boy.''
He took a moment and thought about, but rather than think about it he decided to follow his instinct. ''I'll do it. I don't know why but I feel like it's my fate.'' He scratched his hair a bit bashful. ''That and I promised a friend that one day I'll become a hero.''
The man nodded and accepted his resolve. ''Take him to his parents Yasaka. I have many arrangements to make.''
''I understand. Let's go Issei-kun.'' Yasaka smiled as she took the boys hand.
''Wait.'' He shouted and looked back on the man. ''Mister!'' he called out at him. ''You never told me your name.''
He was silent for a few moments. ''...Indeed. Guess it slipped my mind.''
He straightened his position and looked the boy in the eyes. ''I am the head of the unified Inu youkai clan, son of the Inu no Taichō, Tōga and the half-brother of the hanyō, Inuyasha. My name is Sesshōmaru.''
''I welcome you the Youkai faction, Issei Hyoudou, descendant of Inuyasha.''
Ok so that's it.
Notes:
You know what's a weird thing about highschool dxd?
THE FACT THAT THE SHINTO PANTHEON DOESN'T APPEAR.
I mean come on! The mc is Japanese, the story takes place in japan, Rias is a japanophile, Akeno is a shrine maiden character and yet there hasn't been even one single member of the Shinto gods to make an official appearance in the anime or light novels. I mean wtf people.
My only guess would be that they are either dead or completely isolated in their Japanese heaven. I mean they have devils in their homeland claiming territories like they own it or something.
I then thought what if I could come up with a story that involves the Shinto faction, if not directly at least make them a common topic in the story.
I didn't get any proper ideas so I let it slide for later.
Everything changed however when I rewatched some Inuyasha clips. I couldn't help but wonder what could have happen to Sesshōmaru and the other youkai after the story ended. I mean youkai have really long life spans, I mean fricking Inuyasha was about 150 years old when he met Kikyo and he looked only 15.
Then it hit me. What if the world of Inuyasha verse, was also the world of the DxD verse.
So I thought of creating a story in which Issei is a youkai and lives a rather different life before the start of the series.
I always read in many fanfics when people do background checks on Issei they always say that he came from a normal bloodline without any remarkable ancestors. Then it hit me, just how far can they actually do background checks? I mean there must be a limit on how back they can go. So then I thought what if Issei was descendant of a really remarkable person. So I searcher for anime worlds that could exists within the dxd verse and so I found the Inuyasha verse.
I'm surprised that there aren't too many crossovers using these two verses.
Now before you wonder. If you think that Issei will be an OP character now that he has the Tessaiga you are very wrong.
Ok so about the terms I used in this. While I was a dub guy myself, I decided to go with the original Japanese terminologies because if I went with the ones from the dub it might create confusion. Mainly because in the terms demon and devil tend to clash.
Words you might not know:
Youki- Demonic Energy
Inu- dog
Toga- While it's not revealed in the anime or movie, on the wiki it say that Inuyasha's dad was called Toga. That was his name in the third movie script and appeared in one trailer and the original draft of the soundtrack, but the name was scrapped for unknown reasons.
Hanyō- half demon
