Chapter I

Yuutsuki turned another page of an ancient chronicle, eagerly absorbing every word related to her clan, the Rens, which in the past used to be a large family of remarkable generals and warriors aiding the feudal lords. Once a legend, currently only one family remained with a vague duty entrusted to her own hands, grandmother as her guide. Since the family had shrunken so rapidly over last centuries, the actual history remained top secret, allowing the clan's elder exclusively to be entirely aware of all occurrences and associations. Grandmother had never uttered a word of confirmation, but Yuutsuki deemed the three-coloured jewel of hers remarkable, and when early in the morning grandmother had requested her to wield it soon, she had blindly accepted whatever fate it carried. There was no prospect to share her burden with anyone, for a person devoid of background as hers would never be keen to believe that inside the town, there was a shrine with a well, which linked future with past, where demons and spiritual powers were commonly existent.

Only few, most substantial details had been revealed to the girl, barely enabling her to comprehend the situation. Her family had set an alliance with a clan protecting a sacred jewel, shikon no tama. The Higurashi clan was gifted with splendid priestesses and monks, in fact so outstanding, that influential eyes turned to them, entrusting the protection of the powerful jewel, which with in inappropriate hands could easily stand as a threat to both, humans and demons. Wanting to prevent any creature from stealing and using the jewel, a demon lord of the lands wherein both families had been located had created an alliance with the Rens, the only physically capable of carrying out the task. The Rens were granted a powerful jewel constructed to nullify the defied shikon no tama. Himiko Ren, her grandmother had entrusted departing to an unknown, dangerous world to her, in order to fulfil an honour bound, double promise compromising her family. Yuutsuki was to aid Kagome, a girl from the allied family, while keeping the promise once sworn to the clan of demons.

The beautiful, three-coloured jewel resting on her ring finger was an ancient gift from the demon clan, along with an old sword, rumoured to lend mysterious powers to its wielder. The ring had been apparently lost in the times wherein Kagome was currently dwelling, therefore Yuutsuki had no choice but listen to the family elder and bear the duty.

She shook her head repeatedly, questioning what exactly was she searching within the history books. Her eyes, dark as starless sky squinted as she closed a thick book snappishly, for as expected, she had found no valuable information. The girl gasped in disbelief upon remarking the time, she was late for her kendo training. Rushing back, she accidentally bumped into a tall man, striking her shoulder painfully.

"I am extremely sorry." Without looking at the stranger's face, she bowed apologetically, her long, curly hair created a curtain covering her own face. Keeping her glance low, she turned away, hastening the pace. The man's golden, penetrating glare was following her carefully until her short body disappeared among other people attending the library.

*.*.*.*.*.*.*.*

Enjoying the autumn weather, Nabu was slowly strolling towards an old shrine, unexpectedly located among modern houses. Already from afar, he unintentionally remarked the family's elder sweeping the yard, bringing a waft of admiration for the woman's energetic way of passing her time, despite having reached a very respectable age, wherein many people could only dream about freely roaming around. For the past two years, he had been training kendo with the woman's granddaughter, which was very talented in deviously evading attacks and striking back in the least expected way. Due to her feeble body, the actual lack of physical strength did not permit her to take part in competitive duelling, however her unusual way of handling the wooden sword made her a worthwhile sparring partner. Nabu bent lowly, greeting the old woman, who directed her eyes at the training room, smiling.

"Yuutsuki is not there. Please, make your way inside."

The man walked towards the training room, already accustomed to the girl's habitual, slight lateness. He secured his armour and before he managed to warm up, the door loudly opened.

"Good evening, Yuutsuki." Nabu cheerfully proclaimed as the girl made her way through the dojou.

"Good evening, Nabu-sensei, I'm sorry for my tardiness." The girl apologised as she equipped herself hastily not to use any more of her coach's time. "Nabu-sensei, today it will be our last training for the time being. I will go in a journey and I've not yet set a return date."

"I understand. We will make it a good one then. Let´s skip the theory today, we are going to have a duel." The man maintained his smile, refraining from prying into details, nonetheless his mood had been affected since he was disconsolate not at losing a customer, but at the sudden loss of an interesting duelling partner.

After the traditional greeting of any kendo sparring, both participants assumed their respective duel stances. Yuutsuki, well aware of her faults in battle and unlike previous trainings, assumed a defensive position, rather than her usual counter attack one. Nabu on the other hand maintained his typical attack style of fighting. As both fighters touched swords, they began making quick small steps while examining the other´s position in an attempt either to catch the partner off guard, or to foresee a possible attack. Cognizant of Yuutsuki´s speciality in duelling, Nabu attempted a swift low blow disguised as change of position, a weak attempt for the girl had predicted the instructor's offensive move, she had enough time to dodge, rather parry, and counter-attack with a high half spun swing aiming for the man's throat.

"I yield. Nice move, you have seen right through my intentions."

Nabu was pleased with the short performance although not surprised by it since he was well aware of the girl's capacities and untapped potential. "Although…" Noticing that Yuutsuki was already setting down her sword and was off guard, the tutor attacked her with a high vertical swing. "…this training isn´t over yet, don't let your guard down!" He aimed for her head, protected by a helmet and expected a hit from a deflection or late reaction, the girl tumbled on the floor to both avoid and recollect her sword, whilst pushing her body through her right leg and lunging at Nabu. The training continuously lasted until the elderly woman interrupted the intense sparring with an announcement.

"Yuutsuki, it´s time."

The girl lowly bowed as a send-off to her coach and was directed to her sleeping room. Opening the door revealed a grey backpack, the sword wrapped in a dark blue cloth and a small violet box likely to contain the ring, on top of her bed. She hurriedly tore open the blue textile and freed the sword. The scabbard was much older than she recalled which suggested the sword on display, which she for so long had gazed, to be nothing but a fake used to fool suggestive looks and possible theft, an understandable tactic given the envy the object had provoked. As she unsheathed the blade, an ordinary katana displayed, albeit with a small unusual curving on one end and a rather used hilt. The sword felt ominous in her hands almost as if there was something about it, maybe it had seen and caused, too much killing.

"You will have time to wonder about this weapon later, put the ring on your finger." The old lady seem to not wish any time wasted and helped her granddaughter put on the backpack as if along with it, she also passed on her duty. The girl did not let go of the sword's hilt, and as the elder slid the ring into the young girl's finger, the heavy sensation from the sword disappeared, turning the weapon into an amiable object in Yuutsuki's hands.

The path was set and not before long, the girl found herself climbing the well of Higurashi's shrine and staring down at its darker end, unsure of the true depth of it.

"Good luck my child, be victorious where those before you were not…and come back, everyone will be eager for your safe return." Neither could fully hide their emotions and both were unsure of what the future was holding, nonetheless, there was no time left to spare to contemplate or otherwise attempt to foresee what lied ahead.

Grandmother pushed her forward and she fell to the well, naturally protecting herself with her hands from hitting the head. She did not reach the bottom, all she could feel was a pleasant feeling wrapping around her body, filling her up with ease and peace. After opening her eyes, she found herself among sharp pieces of bones and foul-smelling ground, the blue skies peeking on her from the well's entrance. She picked up her bag along with the sword and tried to climb up. Failed once, but kept trying, until she reached the surface.

The sun was high and it was quite warm, the air was clean and light, the forestry smell was filling up the girl's loungs. Standing in the middle of a forest's clearing Yuutsuki was stunned like never been before, for she had travelled back in time.