Disclaimer: I do not own the Xenosaga series. I only own my OC Kuno Katsuyori. (Japanese style)
Xenosaga: Es Lasst Sich Nicht Lesen
Prologue: The Pebble in the Pond
by: Nim Maj
A lone jeep was making its way down a dusty road in Africa to Lake Turkana. The driver bore the logo of Vector Industries, the main funder of the Lake Turkana Expedition under Dr. Masuda. In the passenger seat was a black haired, dark brown eyed young man of Japanese descent. He wore khaki pants , a white shirt, and an unbuttoned Hawaiian print shirt, courtesy of his uncle. This was Kuno Katsuyori, heir to the main branch of the noble House of Kuno, descendants of samurai."We're almost there sir." informed the driver. "Good, after seeing if this expedition is worth the money I invested in it I can head back to Japan and straighten out the mess in Nerima."
"Sir?" inquired the Vector employee.
"Oh nothing, just cousins breaking up a wedding. I swear..." He trailed off in annoyance.
After cresting a hill, the dig site came into view with the lake in the background. "We're here Mr. Kuno." the driver said as he drove the jeep into the camp. "Good! Now let's find Dr. Masuda." After driving their way to the main tent, they caught sight of the doctor being called away. "Hmmm, it seems like a discovery was just made, lucky. Come, we will follow them." ordered Katsu as he got out of the jeep and followed the doctor, the driver following.
After reaching the cause of the commotion, they stopped and watch Dr. Masuda place a small cross-like object into the ground. After a short light show, the ground began trembling. "Earthquake?" inquired Katsu of nobody in particular as he kneeled down to maintain balance. He was soon answered by the appearance of a black walkway erupting from the earth, forming a bridge leading to the center of the lake. The rumbling stopping after the appearance of the main platform. Then, in midair, turquoise light appeared out of nowhere and began forming a familiar cross-shaped object, except larger. The Original Zohar hung majestically in midair, defying the laws of gravity. Soon, a column of light erupted and reached into the sky.
Steadying himself, Katsu dusted himself off, and looked up. The ethereal feeling he received from just looking at it took away all thought. He regained his senses as an abrupt downpour of rain startled him. "Congratulations Dr. Masuda! I will see to it that you never run out of funding." he called out, startling the doctor. "Uhm, thank you! But uh, you are?" the Doctor prompted.
"Kuno Katsuyori. Along with Vector Industries, I funded your expedition. Whatever they are interested in, I am. Indeed, it seems like it all payed off." Katsu elaborated with a smile.
"Oh yes, I remember now! Well, as you can see, our efforts have yielded results."
"Yes yes, quite. I believe Wilhelm will be here later, but for now, shall we inspect your latest find?"
As they headed out to the Zohar, Dr. Masuda asked,"Pardon me sir, but aren't you too young to be the head of a company? You don't look to be out of your teens."
"True, I am still sixteen. However, due to unusual circumstances I found myself to be the head, at least in name. That does give me some power in my clan, despite my age."
"I see. And these circumstances, if you don't mind my asking?"
"Haha, you may doctor! In actuality, this circumstance is called insanity, it runs in the family I suspect, and my poor father has been declared legally insane, and thus committed to an asylum. And so, being my father's only son, leadership of the clan was left to me." Left unspoken was the fact that Katsu was the one to bring his father's insanity to the attention of the authorities. This was due in part to Katsu finding himself engaged to three different girls, and upon confronting his father, was surprised to find that the elder Kuno didn't remember the pacts.
"Oh, I see..." Dr. Masuda trailed off uncomfortably. They reached the end of the bridge and looked up at the relic floating serenely in place. "Amazing!" Katsu said reverently as he slowly reached out as if to touch it. "Just being this close is enough to give one a religious experience."
"Sir!" called out Dr. Masuda in alarm.
"Don't worry doctor, I'm not so foolish as to try to touch an obviously supernatural object." Katsu chucled. Unfortunately, the Zohar didn't seem to care as when Katsu's hand came close to the field surrounding it, a flash of light blinded all and left no trace of Kuno Katsuyori. The Original Zohar was truly more powerful than a mere emulator.
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"So, how is our... guest?"
"He's alright captain. After the traces of Zohar radiation disappeared, his body started functioning again."
"I see. Well, contact me when he wakes up. I'd like to know how he got here and what happened to my men."
"Yes sir." And with that, the Captain of the Woglinde returned to the bridge.
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Author's Notes Section (A/N)
Greetings reader. This is my first fanfic and has been in the planning stages for quite a while. I finally got the time and courage to post. Please send constructive criticism. Flames will be politely ignored.
About Katsu: I've been planning his backstory for quite a while. To those of you who don't know the references, he is related to the Kuno's of Ranma ½. Where Tatewaki is a "scion of the noble house of Kuno", Katsu is a member of the main branch and, as stated, the head of the clan as his father, the former head, was deemed unfit to lead the clan upon being committed to an insanity asylum. His Hawaiian print shirt is courtesy of Kuno-Kocho (aka. Principal Kuno), Tatewaki and Kodachi's father.
Yes, he is 16 and male, allowing for this slight bending of rules. Although nominally the head, he doesn't hold all the power due to being young. He was, however, smart enough to convince the Kuno clan leadership to invest in Vector's interests.
However, This is not a strict crossover as I am only using the background to set him up. Perhaps in future stories I will base him in the Ranma universe. For now, he will only make mention of some events that would come to his attention as clan head (if at all).
In the end, try not to think too hard. Just relax and enjoy, but do point out unforgivable errors. I'm a fan, not a fanatic.
Oh yeah, the translation of the title is "it does not permit itself to be read." Why I chose it will become evident in time.
I think that's all for now. See you in the next chapter!