This is an idea that's been floating up in my head for a while now, and after re-reading the Dogs manga for about the 20th time I finally decided to start it. Dogs is one of my top 3 favourite manga and I've always wanted to write a fanfic for the series. I identify with most of the characters pretty heavily and it's pretty fun trying to put myself in their head-space to write this.
I'm gonna follow the format of the actual series; 4 one-shots to introduce the main players and show where they're at (mentally or physically) at the start of this story, which I would say is somewhere around where the manga is currently at. This is my own adaptation of where I believe the future chapters will go, once I get into the actual story.
Disclaimer: "Dogs' is written and owned by Miwa Shirow, one of my favourite artists. Go read t if you haven't already.
The unpleasant thought was always present, like the dark shadow that followed her as she headed deeper into the light. Like an unwanted memory, it was always biting at her psyche. A piercing set of eyes, sending a constant, foreboding sense of doom running down her spine. They were always there watching her, she felt them around every corner, behind every door...
and she hated it.
They were always watching her, making sure she didn't escape the sad, sad reality that's been written for her. The same reality she was always searching for, and the same reality she became terrified of once it presented itself to her. She had no idea who she really was, who she was supposed to be. She wasn't sure if she even wanted to know anymore, the idea of living on in ignorance was sounding better with every step forward that she took.
Every step towards the truth...
...towards the light.
It truly scared her, the possibility that her entire existence was created by the whim of that woman. The same woman that she had unknowingly hated and striven to cut with her blade. No matter what the truth is, the same results are yielded. Whether she continued to seek revenge or not, her life would be ruled by that woman.
The other Naoto.
Was she even human? Was she a hero, or was she created for evil purposes just like all the other dogs? Would she be taken over again, and be made to do unspeakable acts of carnage? Would she kill all of the people she now sought to protect?
These, and many other questions she couldn't answer would flood her mind at night. During the day, she could easily push all the anxiety to back of her mind. Between training, work and the constant investigating her strange group conducted, it was very simple to not think about all the unknown variables plaguing her mind and future.
It was only at night, once she would return, alone to her apartment, that the realizations would start to weigh down on her once again.
"Everything I've believed up until this point, everything I thought I knew was nothing but a complete fabrication." She would repeat this night after night, standing in front of the mirror in her bathroom. It's surface covered in condensation from the shower, she would stand and watch as drops of water began to form at the top of the pane and run down the length of the glass.
Her image would slowly be revealed, more questions flooding her mind with every section of her reflection that showed itself to her. Every time, she hoped it would show her skin unscarred but every single time, the ragged 'X' on her chest eventually revealed itself and the most painful question would always come to her mind.
"How long do I have to keep going on living, cursing someone?" With each passing day, the answer never came and with each passing night, she would stand before her tarnished reflection, wishing that this sad tale would finally come to an end.
I'm starting with Naoto 'cause she's always been my favourite Dogs character. I'm not sure who's gonna be next, probably Haine since I have the most ideas for him.
Anywho, stay tuned, read and review.
"Til next time, Sayonara.