A/N: Welcome to yet another Blazblue fanfic by yours truly. To those of you who have read me before: you likely know what you're in for, I try to keep the ride new and well paced. To those who haven't read me: This ride starts off pretty simple, but it gets bumpy and wild at times. These fics tend to be OC centric with a healthy helping of the cast here and there. With that out of the way, some words of warning about this fiction.
The content of this fiction will possess a lot of the hidden undertones of racism/species hatred that the Beastkin of the BB Universe deal with on a regular occasion. Naturally this is something easily missed, as much of the case of Blazblue tend to be either neutral or uncaring about another being a beastkin. However, as seen within Makoto's content ingame throughout the series, she had to contend with some pretty heavy amounts of it while growing up. The academy appears to hold a similar atmosphere, even though its a lot better there (as any place of order would not tolerate open discrimination), still it would not have this disappear from the workplace or life in general. I just wanted to be fair, warning folks about it before it began.
I will be introducing my Kinkajou beastkin OC, named Kinjou Shimazu and following him through his involvement on the goings on in Kagutsuchi and how his world quickly becomes more, as he involves himself with the unfolding madness that is the main plotline of the BB Storyline. And so now, without boring you further, here we go.
(End A/N)
Prologue: The Shimazu Clan & Ronan-Gai
Time was difficult at first in the 13th Heirarchical City of Kagustuchi, for those of the Ikaruga Federation. The people whose forces were decimated during the civil war against the Novus Orbis Librarium, a dominating world government as it was known today. When Lord Tenjo Amanasoka fell in battle, it marked the end of a struggle against the inevitable. A government who turned against its Imperator, claimed the hierarchical city of Ikaruga rogue and war was soon declare. This horrendous act continued until all inhabitants who had remained within the range of the killer satellite weapon from space, were annihilated by a single apocalyptic blast.
The active resistance was snatched from a proud people, who endured resentment from the many places that citizens retreated to. The commute was hard for them, and those who'd fled the war before the blast, embraced their countrymen and showed them home. The section of the city where the proud men and women of Ikaruga, who lived in the section of Kagutsuchi called Ronan-Gai also known as Little Ikaruga. It was the bitter seed of civility that kept the people working on recovery and not revenge. It was a lot of hard work, but strength of will flowed strong through the enduring people's veins.
The same that flowed through the veins of the Shimazu Clan. Three generations of the Kinkajou Beastkin who once resided in Ikaruga, now shared a small, but comfortable home. From the Matriarch of the family to the youngest son, everyone worked to earn a living. And it was by this hard work that the Shimazu name was one known to have some menial success through their earnings. Both through the teahouse and martial arts dojo, run by the Matriarch and her daughter respectively; the Ikarugan people knew a little more pride through them.
As it showed the unity, despite the differences between those human and beastkin; this mattered little before the unity of Ikaruga. Though this did little to shield the Shimazu Clan from the occasional alienation which came from their new home. Outside of Ronan-Gai, this was only more noticeable. Such was an accepted facet of life, since not everyone was so rude. It was due to the rarity of a classical Ikarugan style teahouse, that the Pale Lotus Teahouse met with some decent success. Receiving a regular influx of clientele, the family stood fast before all difficulties since then.
With several years passing quickly, the household managed to prosper in this time. The Shimazu name became a staple of the local neighborhood, they were all a big family with those in Ronan-Gai. Though the household stood strong, not all of the Shimazu members could be rid of such dark emotion so easily. Simply enduring did not do for the heart of the second eldest of the Shimazu sons was not content. His feeling towards the Librarium were festering and often got in the way of his duties.
At least, his first years were difficult and the negativity was targeted by his parents. As both mother and father trained their son in the more intensive of the Shimazu secrets, they worked to cleanse him of that resentment. A process that was eventually tamed the negative feelings, through the virtues of the family style and meditation. While the dark feelings would never fully go away, discipline was one of the traits that helped him remain firm. Kinjou Sosuke Shimazu finally felt like he could attend to duties unhindered.
Even after this day followed, he continued to improve himself and his skills, vowing that he'd take up the business as a Vigilante. A business that his father was in, bringing in some local bounties to the Library's warrant station. Kinjou chose to follow his father's example, as he wanted to find another means of dealing with the chip on his shoulder. It was a duty that he willingly took up, choosing to deliver the crooks to justice. Kinjou found success in his duties, as he focused on the bounties and made sure they were taken down with great prejudice.
Over the next four years, Kinjou would have earned a name for himself amongst Ronan-Gai Vigilante. Being regarded by the renowned Bang Shishigami as a fighter for justice, the beastkin managed to sustain a sturdy sense of humility even as his name spread. Naturally, being a half decent Vigilante earned the family scorn from small thugs or hoodlums. The extra attention was unfortunate, but as the troublemakers were subdued and turned over to the authorities things would proceed. It seemed that the status quo of the Pale Lotus Teahouse was the occasional trouble, as such seemed fairly regular in Orient Town.
-Present Day-
While at least an occasional occurrence, Kinjou barely noticed the changing hour. As his life had become routine, it was simply another day as the sole server during the morning open shift. His grandmother was the maître d and covering the front, while his father was in the kitchen cooking today. His mother was running the dojo and things were simply business as usual. At least, until the next guest had entered the teahouse.
"Good Morning, I've heard some nice rumors this place is good for relaxing, have any open seats?" the voice asked, being extra polite despite the teahouse being virtually empty.
"Certainly, if you'll take a seat where you like, we can supply you with a menu and complimentary tea while you wait." Kinjou's grandmother, Meilen always offered complimentary tea to a new face.
The gesture did not go unnoticed and had the notably dressed young woman smile wider, "That sounds great, I'll just take a spot here."
The young lady had found a quick seat to the right of the maître d's position, as there was no need to go too far. Right next to the entrance was convenient for her. Meilen was quick to bring the tea from the kitchen, moving with a swiftness and grace that made her appear to glide. Right in the moment she arrived, she'd set down the tea cup and small teapot. This would allow the new guest to enjoy the tea's flavor and any nuances if she enjoyed it.
"Thanks a lot, that's great!"
"Of course, I hope you enjoy yourself at the Pale Lotus Teahouse. Your waiter will be right along."
Meilen had turned to go, before she was asked to stop a moment. Addressing their guest respectfully, she looked to the young lady and smiled as she spoke, "Yes? How can I help you?'
"Oh, I just wanted to know your name. It's not every day I meet such genuinely welcoming hosts." certainly she was impressed with the degree of it.
"My name is Meilen Shimazu, I am pleased to meet you." the matriarch of the Shimazu greeted her guest with a small head bow, just being polite in the gesture.
"Meilen Shimazu? That's a nice name, and I think I've heard a little about you. Oh! Sorry almost forgot to introduce myself, I'm Makoto Nanaya, and the pleasure's all mine!" Makoto gave her a smile after the exchanged greeting.
"Well, Miss Nanaya, my grandson is ready to take your order." Meilen said this, gesturing to the menu that was just to Makoto's right.
At this time, Kinjou stood to her right side near the table edge. In hand, a notepad at which he waited to take her order. Makoto gave a thumbs up briefly before taking to scanning the menu for something. She felt a hankering for something with a good nutty flavor, and found a choice in the scone section. After scanning over twice, she came to what she felt was a good choice.
"Alright, I'll take two scones: one cinnamon-walnut and the other a raspberry cashew." pleased with her choice, the squirrel-kin grinned and set the menu aside.
"Those are excellent choices, Miss Nanaya. I'll place the order right away." Kinjou gave her a light head nod and as he turned to head off, he'd heard Makoto ask him a question.
"And what should I you? Meilen called you her grandson, though I'd rather not be rude like that." the casualness with which she took it made him smile somewhat.
"Please call me Kinjou. I'm also glad to meet you, Makoto. Ahem, Miss Nanaya." though Kinjou imagined she didn't mind, he was trying not to be rude, as a waiter.
"No problem, I don't mind you calling me Makoto." waving her hand as to say that it didn't matter.
"Alright, I'll hurry though. It doesn't do to wait on an empty stomach." Kinjou said before heading towards the kitchen.
Once he disappeared behind the drape over the open doorway, Kinjou handed his father the first order of the day. While he was back there, he briefly reflected on what it was like to talk to someone that relaxed. It wasn't as if beastkin weren't around Kagutsuchi, though most kept to themselves. It was rare to find someone as open as Makoto and for Kinjou, this was refreshing to him. It hadn't taken long for him to head back out and check around, as this was why he was being paid.
Makoto's scones were up and ready quickly and once Kinjou gathered them up on a plate, he brought them out to her table. Once they were set down, he'd left them and then stood opposite the Squirrel beastkin at the side table. While she took the first bite, Makoto's eyes widened at the embedded flavor; it had been so tasteful! She made sure to savor the first bite, chewing through to see how deep the flavor ran. With just the first bite done, she set the scone down and excitedly exclaimed over the flavor.
"This is A-mazing! I'd have a million questions about how you managed it, I mean your family. This has gotta be a home-based recipe, right?" Makoto asked Kinjou this question.
"Yes, it is actually. I'm glad you noticed." he nodded, as a little bit of pride appeared on his face. It certainly was a family trade for making the food for the Teahouse.
It was while the two were having their friendly discussion, that a small group of unsavory individuals showed up. Such a thing was a regular occurrence in the Orient Town area. So as the three men walked in, the leader of the trio let out a loud sound. It was half between a growl and a sound of irritation, and the man's eyes were looking around the open space of the teahouse. He then broke into a fit of laughter, almost as if something hysterical was said.
"What kind of a dump is this place? Seriously! Ha its like the people here are fossils or something, this décor is cheap!" the obnoxiousness grew as the man turned to face the kneeling Meilen.
"Hey old hag, how much to eat here?" The man asked her, with hands in his pocket: the red headed man's towering height of 6'2" made him tower over Meilen even more so as she sat.
Still she was unflinching towards the attitude. Instead she gave him a simple reply that she'd give any customer who asked politely.
"The price paid on the tab depends upon the kind of dish and drink ordered, honorable patron." her focused eyes opened then, and despite a pleasant smile; the atmosphere grew slightly heavier.
"Honorable patron? Whatever granny! Get us your best table, or we might just wreck something." the arrogant man grinned and his two friends chuckled.
"Yeah hurry up, you weird little marsupial kin! We're going to be gray and old before you're done rising." the second of these men spoke, in an attempt to get a rise out of Meilen.
Instead of responding negativity, Meilen rose to her feet gracefully and without making a sound; she stood before the three men. With her hands folded up within her yukata sleeves, she greeted the men with a small head bow. She was showing respect to them, despite the blatant disregard for manners on behalf of the men. It was something that Makoto was finding it hard to stay quiet about. In fact, the only reason she hadn't done something was because Meilen had been responding.
"Those dirt bags...how can she be so calm? I mean they are probably spitting all over her, the yelling is hurting my ears from where we're sitting, and they are slinging species hate. I've had just about all I can stand." Makoto had said this quietly, just enough that Kinjou could hear it. She wasn't planning to hurt the men badly, but instead to use her authority to send them on their way.
Kinjou gently patted her arm, giving her a small smile and a shake of his head before speaking on the matter, "Don't worry, Oba-sama has a plan for them. As there is a reason that our teahouse hasn't seen any incidents."
Makoto blinked as that was an odd statement to make. Even though she didn't know the details of what he spoke of. He seemed sure that all would be well, while she was unsure, she would let it play out a little longer. It was only at his insistence that she bothered to allow it. Patience wasn't one of her strongest virtues, she wouldn't let it go on for long.
The man sneered at Meilen as she stood and began to reach for her left shoulder, "What's that? Got a problem gran-" he never finished his words before finding his wrist fell numb, as the elder beastkin poked his wrist with her right hand's index finger.
To the man's surprise his wrist had been painlessly poked, before it fell limp. After a moment of trying to move it, his face lit in anger as he threw his right fist at Meilen's face. While he let off something of a strangled sound, it was clear that his frustration and anger were backing his attack. As if the man were moving in slow motion, Meilen's right hand gently pressed down on that fist and directed his punch low. His full body had been thrown into the attack, so he ended up tumbling forward and landing on a cushion.
As the first of these men sat in confusion, Meilen casually pivoted on her right leg and in her slightly sideways position; she guided the second man's kick to the side and sent him into a forced roll. He'd tumble to the head of the table the first man was at in the roll and as he came out of the tumble, his face would smack the table surface and daze him slightly. The last of the man tried to haymaker punch the smaller beastkin's apparent blind spot. And without facing him, Meilen lowered her right shoulder and allowed her position to carry the man over her shoulder and into a free fall towards the ground. She'd catch the man's upper back and helped him to sit down on the ground.
Though the last of the men was feeling sore from the fall, he hadn't suffered its full effects. And despite the man's thought to continue was strong, a firm grip that helped him remain upright did tell him of the strength holding him up. The first man started to say something, before he received a single look from the elder beastkin that just shut him up. The words died in his throat and the second man chose to keep his mouth shut, since something felt very wrong about her gaze. The three men settled into the spot where they'd been seated without further issue.
"I'm glad you found your seats, now...please gentlemen, decide what you want to eat. We have an excellent selection to choose from." the maître d did her duty, and offered the men he menus at the end of the table.
It didn't take long before the three men went about passing orders, while Makoto watched them act as patrons. There was no back talk, no more smug commentary; even though she could notice the fear in the men. Her gaze passed to Meilen and she just blinked softly at it, trying to fathom how a situation that far along reversed. Even though she felt the presence from the elder Shimazu, it had been very brief and she hadn't harmed the men really. As far as she could see, all she did was politely gesture towards the men and take them down with minimal effort.
"Wow, what the heck was that? I mean, she barely moved and they are all down. Now they are buying food? I saw it, but still...its a little surreal. So tell me, what exactly did she do back there?" Makoto was sure that she knew what happened based upon observation, but she wanted to hear Kinjou tell her. As it was more of a thing to make it real.
"Grandmother simply applied some point skills of the martial arts and some intimidation to subdue them. I believe she made them realize, that she could do worse at her option. Likely, they feel coerced to agree with what she says. And she did it all without really hurting them, I am really impressed whenever she does get to act." Kinjou clearly admired his grandmother's degree of skill.
Something that Makoto certainly respected by now, though she also realized the fortunate nature of not needing to step in. She now had a good meal and a nice show of some skills as well. It made her feel like she needed to work harder herself, though training was for later. She still had a mission to attend to, that meant establishing contact with the operative for this mission. She'd need to get into contact with Iron Tager before long for further instruction, so she did have to go now.
At least Kagutsuchi had a few nice spots, with this just being one that she'd remember for next time.
'Maybe Noel would like to come and eat here...I'll keep it in mind.'
She let off a small smile at Kinjou and gave him a little grin as she stood up, "Well I must say the I am sorry to say I have to go. It's time I got on from here, this is a real nice place you've got here. Maybe I'll get the chance to catch you later, see you around!" Makoto said this, after paying the bill and leaving a tip, before the bouncy squirrel headed out.
"Well have a wonderful day then, Makoto. I'm glad to have met you!" Kinjou said as she said, he had smiled back, even though the moment was brief.
Still he felt rather glad with the first customer of the day. It was nice to run into another beastkin now and again, and what's more one that was as pleasant as she was. There was a thing about her sweetness that surprised him, though it was probably just because she looked close to his age. Laughing to himself, he waved off the feeling of familiarity and left it alone; he went about picking up the items on the table and tucking the tip in his apron. It would be gathered and shared properly by himself and his grandmother.
The day of work continued, starting slow and gradually picking up pace as their regulars came in. It was just another day of work and Kinjou was none the wiser about anything beyond his usual rotation of regular events. Once he was out of work, he was on his way to train at the dojo with his mother today and the advanced class. It was tomorrow as that was going to be his really big day. It was the first of a couple of weeks he'd taken off from working at the Pale Lotus Teahouse in order to focus on vigilante work.
He felt that he should strike out on his own and that there was no better way to do this than the combat he'd engage in. Between this and a feeling that was lingering in the air, something was compelling him to action. He went with the feeling, figuring it was just instinct and a want to use the craft he'd honed over the years. He did wonder about what bounty he'd bring down first, even though that depended upon the list itself. It all depended on who was available for him to go after.
Makoto had gone about meeting up with Tager and sharing the password, once it had been confirmed as to who she was; her next mission was given to her. She was to find Noel Vermillion and bring her to meet up with Tager, it was something that she hoped to do to ensure her friend's safety. Nothing more than Noel's safety was a high priority for her, so she found this made the mission a shoe in for her. Once done with the briefing, she headed off enthusiastically in hopes that she'd be able to find Noel before she got herself into some trouble. Once she learned that Tsubaki was to find and execute Noel and Jin, the feeling left a horrible sick feeling in her stomach; this was something that she had to prevent.
The double agent disappeared into Kagutsuchi, using what little she knew of the city and the known habits of one of her closest friends in order to try and predict Noel's placement. She looked for Noel high and low with the hopes that she'd find her around the next corner. As intel had it that she and the Major had come to Kagutsuchi, it was left to the difficult task of sifting through the people to find her. It couldn't be that hard to find a short, blond haired female Librarium officer in Kagutsuchi...right? She felt that she needed to check the lower regions first, since Ragna the Bloodedge was rumored to be in the city.
Even though security was supposed to have been tightened, the lack of Librarium soldiers was troubling. Typically there were patrols and checkpoints were manned, but she saw nothing. There were no familiar azure blue uniforms on the street, it seemed the presence was minimum. Though she was able to use this to her advantage, as she didn't need to relay her information when checking for Noel. It was a simple trial and error of checking spaces before she moved on.
For Kinjou he was traversing the main road in Ronan Gai on his way to Orient Town. He was going to check on the bounties and see if he recognized any of the names. As long as it was someone that he could go after, he didn't have a problem. It was hard to keep his excitement down he found, as he was getting to see some action for the first time in over a month. As an instructor of the Shimazu Clan martial arts, he refused to let himself lose control, as that would only dishonor his family name.
It was while he was walking down the street that his eyes were drawn to someone peculiar looking. He felt that the person was off somehow, a man who had green hair, a suit of some kind, a hat, and bore a smile. Despite the fact that this person appeared unassuming, there was something that just made his skin crawl. He felt his tail frizzing up slightly, even though he showed no physical response to it. The fact that this person, who passed him without incident made him feel so off, troubled him.
And even though Kinjou never broke his stride, he did pass a quick glance over his shoulder at the back of the man. It left him wondering who he was at first, though only for a moment or two. This wasn't a bounty, so the person wasn't his concern, all that mattered was that he made sure that his focus didn't slip. Tonight was his first night using one of the family weapons, it was a spear said to house a mighty dragon within it; it had been wielded by his now deceased Uncle during the Civil War. The weapon was called the Huang Long Ji (Yellow Dragon Halberd-Spear), said to be worthy only of those who show potential.
Perhaps this made him feel that he could not fail, it was a chance to shine and put the reward money towards the Clan's savings. The bounties would be in trouble, for he was a young man with a mission: part of it was to show some of his pride. As even a beastkin from Ikaruga, was no different than his human brothers or sisters who bore the shame of loss. All were from Ikaruga, and now more than ever, they would show perseverance. This would be a chance to show all who heard of Ikaruga, that the people were proud in all they did; no matter how they were pushed down. It was that chance for the Shimazu Clan, as Kinjou's path would take a harsh turn.
(End Chapter)
It seems to be the best chance to end the prologue which has a bit of a rocky start. Explaining a troubled past and how the Shimazu Clan has its ties, here we will be joining Kinjou on his trip into a very dangerous realm. Something that his daily life couldn't prepare him for, as since his path has crossed with Makoto Nanaya, his life will not be the same. As events unfold we shall find out if this Beastkin has what it takes to survive a path littered with death.
The first official chapter is on its way soon, until then adieu.
-Quentix
