For all his life, Sajin was treated like a beast.

He never knew the warmth of a hug, nor the gratification of being spoken to as a person with fears, hopes and dreams. For as long as he could remember, every attempt he made connecting with others was constantly met with fear and hatred.

Appearance wise, Sajin certainly resembled a beast. Fur so thick and fluffy covered his body entirely, his stature towered over even the strongest of men, and his face that inspired so much terror—so much horror—was of a wolf.

Sajin was born into a clan of wolves who walked on two feet and talked just like him. As a pup, barely able to see, he learnt his parents were murdered, and no one knew why or how. Growing up without knowing what his parents looked like, nor knowing the sound of their voice was an unbearable pain his younger self had to carry.

But he suffered something even more excruciating: A sense of ever-present, ever-lasting loneliness. Despite living amongst people who looked just like him, there still remained a foreboding fear no one truly understood him. He feared there wasn't anyone who would ever take his dreams and wishes seriously—that if he ever shared his dream of living beyond the caves, he would be laughed at and ridiculed.

So Sajin made a decision, one he mulled over for years: He decided on leaving his clan. When he stated his intention to his elders, they told him if he ever came back, they would tear open his throat without mercy.

Sajin laughed this threat off and soldiered out into the unknown, forcing himself to smile, still not able to stop the uncontrollable shaking of his paws, nor could he ease the tightness in his chest, knowing full well he may never see his family again.

But Sajin soldiered on, braving nature's elements and the sadness in his heart as he journeyed into the Rukongai. He was eager to socialize with the human souls, and imagined his burly frame could help with any labor too heavy or difficult for them to manage.

So when Sajin approached with open-arms and an eagerness to learn from them, it confused him profoundly to be met with cries of fear, and violence so motivated by hate.

Sajin wanted to love, and in response, only received hatred and scorn. He had no place to turn to, other than skulk back into the darkest reaches of forest far away from human contact, and live amongst the beasts, as a beast. If he was to be branded a mindless, salivating beast, he may as well live as one.

Sajin tried to look on the bright side, tried to tell himself that at least the animal souls never told him he was worth something less than dirt. This worked for a little, until Sajin noticed the animals behaved strangely around him, staring at him whenever his presence neared. He couldn't fathom why, until he came upon a startling realization.

These animals didn't see Sajin as one of their own, for although he wore a coat of fur, and had the countenance and sharp senses of a wolf, he still walked, talked, and acted as a human.

Sajin fell to his knees, barely having the strength to stand as he felt what it meant to be truly, utterly, alone.

Sajin tried standing up on his feet, tried to find his resolve, even as he trembled uncontrollably. Sajin tried telling himself he was a big, strong wolf who could battle Hollows with nothing but his own fists—that as long as he remained this strong, he would prevail easily.

But Sajin soon found out no amount of strength could ever overcome the loneliness in his heart. And as days turned into weeks, and months into years, Sajin yearned for an end to his suffering.

Sometimes, when the sun shined its warmth, and the clear blue skies had not a single cloud to besmirch its beauty, Sajin often wondered when will be the next time he'll meet someone.

He didn't yearn for contact—he already had accepted loneliness was as much a part of him as his own fur. The heaviness of his heart no longer bothered him. Still, this didn't stop his curiosity from growing as to when there'll be a need for his voice again, and who he'd use it for. Hunters? Shinigami? Villagers who'd rather greet him with pitchforks than words?

However, out of all of these, Sajin never would've imagined a small child.

It happened just after he slew a massive stag still in its prime. As Sajin prepared to feast on his kill, a little boy timidly emerged from the bushes off to Sajin's side.

The two stared at each other in awkward silence, not a sound between them. Sajin took in the child's dark skin and braided hair as questions took form, so many beyond count. But there was only one Sajin couldn't resist asking.

"Young child… Are you not afraid?"

It was then that Sajin realized the boy's eyes were completely white, naught a single spec of color in them, which only meant one thing…This child was blind.

"Umm, no…" The boy replied awkwardly before his expression changed to one of amazement. "But why are you so tall and big!? I can't see, but I can sense your reiatsu. You're like a huge walking tree!" The boy laughed.

Sajin frowned. "I'm not one of your kind, young child. I'm a wolf beast, and you do not belong here in the wild."

"You're… a wolf!?" The boy was a tad confused before his face brightened excitedly. "That's so COOL!"

Sajin widened his eyes, not expecting such excitement, nor did Sajin ever expect someone to be overcome with joy from finding out the beast he was.

The little boy ran circles around Sajin, touching and feeling his fur cheerfully. "Where is your family? Are there more of you? Can you wag your tail? Ooo! Your ears! Can you flick your ears like a doggy? Do you like howling up at the moon? What about—"

"SHUT UP!" Sajin bellowed ferociously, forcing the boy to a frightened, trembling standstill. "Where are your parents?! Are they not worried for their child fooling around in the wild, where a BEAST can easily feast upon you?"

The little boy lowered his head as a few tears trickled down his face. "I never had any parents. My entire village takes care of me..."

Sajin's heart skipped a beat as he towered over the boy. Sajin closed his eyes and heaved a deep sigh, so ashamed he raised his voice on a child who simply didn't know any better. Though they never met before, Sajin still felt the boy's pain, and it made his own memories of growing up in his clan without parents hurt even more.

"I'm sorry," Sajin said softly. He lowered himself to the little boy's height and rested a large paw on his shoulder reassuringly. "You didn't need to hear any of that, especially from a beast such as myself."

The boy rubbed his hand against Sajin's inhuman paw as the thick fur already consumed his fingers. The boy smiled and laughed, his tears still staining his soft face. "You're such a fluffy wolf!" He complimented before wistfully returning his gaze to the branch-laden ground. "My village takes care of me a lot, but… I sometimes feel no one understands me well, like everything I say is a joke to them. I'd rather be a part of something different than never being taken seriously. That's why I'm here—exploring!"

Sajin stared at the young boy. For a moment, Sajin saw a little of himself in that young innocent face, reminding him of his own past as a misunderstood pup, and the painful memories of leaving behind his clan, all because he never felt he belonged.

One singular purpose beated loudly in Sajin's heart, and It cleared his mind of any remaining doubt he had as to what should be done with the blind little child.

"Come, young one," Sajin rumbled. "Follow me." He turned his back on the boy and began walking away, leaving behind the giant carcass of the stag he hunted.

"Where you going?"

"I'm taking you back to your village, where you belong," Sajin rumbled in clear authority, standing still.

"But—"

"No ifs, buts, or any questions!" Sajin shouted, turning around and angrily baring his sharp fangs at the boy. "I'm taking you back!"

Sajin no longer cared if he appeared frightening, or if those tears returned. He was very much familiar with what the boy spoke of, even lived through it all himself, and Sajin hated every bit of it.

The boy stood there, hurt and dejected, before he reluctantly followed close behind the fluttering rags the giant wolf man wore.

Shouting and yelling at a child was a deep shame Sajin wouldn't ever forgive himself for. But if it meant that no one followed the same lonely path he's known for all his life, Sajin would gladly roar and shout, so this child may never experience the same things he had to endure. Beasts like him have nothing to do with humans, especially children.

So Sajin soldiered on with the boy, trying his best to ignore all the pain and hurt bottled up in him like he's always done his entire life.

Along the way, Sajin learnt the boy's name, Kaname Tousen, and the village he ran away from, which wasn't too far away.

Sajin pondered on how he should take Kaname back to his village. Human souls usually perceived beasts like him to be inferior, and treated him akin to a troublesome pest. But if the human souls ever saw one of their young protected by a beast, it could inspire a level of hatred even Sajin hadn't witnessed before.

And Sajin failed to account for one crucial thing: The villagers were looking desperately for their lost boy. When they found him accompanying a giant wolf covered in fur, on the outskirts of their village, every single one of them able-bodied enough quickly surrounded the two with all manner of tools capable of stabbing and slashing.

"I come in peace—"

"Get away from Kaname, accursed fiend!" Many furious voices shouted all at once, interrupting Sajin. Sharp, pointed blades of various shapes and sizes glistened in the sunlight as they trained directly on the giant wolf.

Sajin stoically stood as still as a rock, calm despite feeling the hardened touch of iron on his fur. Kaname trembled in fear as he huddled closer to the warmth Sajin gave off.

"I deeply apologize for intruding with my wretched presence," Sajin rumbled, bowing as low as his burly frame allowed him in an attempt to show utmost respect. "I don't want nor desire anything other than bringing back your child, who was lost in the woods."

His words only served to further enrage the villagers, their small hands tightening around the farm tools they carried. Sajin wasn't surprised. He gently nudged a hesitant and afraid Kaname away, until the little boy stood among his own kin, no longer sheltering underneath the dirty rags Sajin wore.

He felt a rare sense of relief, knowing that his goal was finally complete. But Sajin couldn't stop staring at the spot Kaname used to occupy by his side, nor could Sajin quell the sadness that rose in his chest. He was alone once more.

As the villagers barked all manner of slurs, and as Kaname's fearful trembling worsened, an old man walked in front of the bowed form of Sajin, adorned in elaborate robes that conveyed his status as the village elder. Disgust wrinkled across the old man's face as he took in the fluffy fur and canine muzzle of the wolf man that towered over all of them, bowing for forgiveness that never existed.

"Beast…" The old man began, that singular word spoken with such intense hatred Sajin knew so well. "What were your wicked machinations with our dear Kaname?"

"I had none. The boy ran into me all by his lonesome self while I hunted."

"Lies!" The old man shouted, driving a curved blade deep inside Sajin's stomach. Shocked, the giant wolf widened his eyes as blood pooled beneath him. Kaname wept uncontrollably with every droplet he heard rain upon the ground.

"I've heard the stories—the tales from those who've seen you!" The old man shouted, grinning as he twisted his blade inside Sajin. He enjoyed seeing the pain he inflicted. "You ravenous wolf men never stop feasting upon us, for whenever someone disappears, beasts like you always lurk nearby! And I'm sure children are your favored prey…"

Sajin stared at the old man with barely an inkling of emotion. He never felt the need to dispute what was obviously so delusional, despite the villagers easily believing it with gasps of terrified horror. Sajin never felt sadness when the cacophony of enraged voices berated him for sins he never committed, nor did Sajin ever feel the resolve to wrench the curved blade out of his stomach, and fight back with all his immense strength.

Sajin felt none of these things, even as the villagers began stabbing and hacking him many times beyond count. He already accepted, long ago, that this treatment was all he knew as a beast, and it will forever stay that way until death finally came for him.

As the villagers plunged their sharpened iron inside Sajin's fur and into the thick skin beneath, Kaname ran up in front of him, stepping into the large puddle of blood that emerged. Kaname shed tears as he hugged tattered fur.

"Please stop!" He shouted, desperately trying to ward off any further stabbing as tears soaked his young face. "Please stop attacking him!"

Blood stained weapons halted their relentless assault. The villagers were startled so much by one of their own young hugging the wolf beast, barely a peep was heard.

Sajin gazed at Kaname beneath him, shocked his fur was embraced by the soft touch of human skin instead of blades. But as Sajin saw how much blood his fur had soaked up, his surprise soon turned into genuine worry.

"Kaname, why are you risking your life?" Sajin whispered so quietly, only the little boy heard him. "This has nothing to do with you."

"It's not right you're treated like this just for being who you are," Kaname whispered back with sadness in his voice, hugging Sajin's blood-stained fur. "You deserve so much better."

Sajin couldn't stop shaking, hearing those words. He had grown so used to hatred, so hardened by the slurs and stabbings, that the boy's show of kindness overwhelmed Sajin.

It offered a tiny glimpse of a world absent of the hate responsible for shaping so much of Sajin's life, and as the thought of such a world lingered, his uncontrollable shaking worsened.

The old man along with other villagers pleaded for Kaname to run away, so confused as to why the young boy wasn't afraid of the monstrosity that towered over him.

Sajin tried stilling his nerves, until he felt a new disturbance in the air. The strange feeling poked his fur and pervaded his canine nose with a strong stench. These were the telltale signs of Hollows, Sajin realized.

He wondered why the masked ones were rushing here, until the answer oozed out of his many wounds: Hollows were attracted to blood. Any kind captured their attention, but what drove Hollows into a frenzy the most was the powerful stench of beastmen blood.

Sajin's heart raced from a profound sense of fear he never felt before.

He wasn't ever afraid of death (especially when the villagers relentlessly stabbed him), but he worried how the human souls would fare. They weren't anywhere near as strong as the wolfmen in his clan, nor were their weapons powerful enough to pierce even the thinnest of Hollow hide.

And Kaname…

The little boy was trembling as he hugged Sajin's fur, so afraid. "Komamura… I feel something bad coming."

"You can sense the Hollows?" Sajin asked, somewhat amazed. The other villagers haven't noticed one bit.

Kaname's only response was to hug the fur he clung onto even harder, not able to spare any more words. Sajin understood the boy's terror well and moved a large, furry arm around his tiny form in an effort to protect.

Ten Hollows appeared one-by-one, their height soaring above the trees and their size dwarfing even Sajin. The masked monsters, devoid of thought or sympathy, stuck their tongues out in eager anticipation of a feast. Most of the villagers dropped their blood-stained weapons, horrified by what confronted them all.

"H-Hollows!?" One cried out in terror.

"We must call the shinigami or we'll all be slaughtered!"

"Those stuck-up bastards are always late!"

The villagers desperately bickered and argued, none of them having the slightest clue on what to do. Many were unable to stand as the immense reiatsu from the Hollows bore down upon them.

Kaname planted his face in the fur he hugged, crying and sniffing. "What are we supposed to do? I don't want to die, I don't want anyone to die…"

Sajin looked down at the little boy, his golden eyes filled with sorrow. Seeing such a young child so helpless and desperate tormented Sajin's heart unlike anything before, and he witnessed no shortage of sad shit throughout his life.

Sajin grabbed Kaname and handed him over to a trio of villagers nearby. "Protect the boy!" He growled.

The three blinked, utterly confused that the giant wolf man they stabbed in the chest minutes prior was now helping them protect one of their own. They accepted Kaname into their grasp without a word and began taking him away from the Hollows to a safer place many others ran to.

Sajin punched the ground beneath him, his otherworldly strength causing trees to wobble, and all the Hollows to abruptly turn towards him. The masked ones favored souls rich in strength, so they focused on nothing else but the giant wolf standing defiantly before them.

Sajin couldn't stop hearing the echoes of Kaname's desperate plea. He couldn't erase the image of Kaname weeping and crying for today to not be his last day. Sajin could only bare his fangs and snarl for the only person who treated him as something more than a beast.

Sajin roared and charged at the nightmares that terrified Kaname.

Blood poured upon the dirt like it was raining crimson red. Sajin heaved and shuddered, barely able to stand as his legs couldn't bear the weight of anymore wounds. He only had the strength to kneel over and stare at the many puddles of his blood forming beneath.

This battle wasn't the most brutal Sajin had ever fought against Hollows, but it certainly won't be one he'll forget. All ten of the masked monsters were killed by Sajin, no longer able to enjoy what would've been their feast. None of the villagers suffered any death nor grave wounds, save for a few whose greatest injuries were sprained ankles sustained from running away.

Yet despite Sajin's hard-fought victory, not a single sound could be heard. The villagers stared at the bleeding wolf in awe, some with hands over their mouths. They were too shocked to utter any words, and so confused as to why the beast they were determined to slaughter saved them all from certain death.

Sajin couldn't blame them. He too was mystified by his unwarranted mercy.

Regardless, it soothed his nerves to sense Kaname's reiatsu close by, safe with his family. Sajin couldn't see the little boy, but he wished him well.

Sajin stumbled his way past the villagers that gathered around him, their faces that once brimmed with hatred now replaced by a sense of genuine worry. But whenever anyone wanted to help with Sajin's bleeding wounds, he growled and bared his sharp fangs like an animal defending its territory. None dared test their luck and go within arm's reach of the menacing beast Sajin wanted to be seen and feared as.

Except for one soul. The village elder hurriedly ran in front of the towering form of Sajin and stopped. He craned his head as far back as possible in order to look up at the giant wolf, desperation in his old wizened eyes.

"Who are you? W-Why did you save us?" The village elder asked.

Sajin stood in silence before bringing up his large paws to his muzzle, studying the fur that made him the beast he was and always will be. The heaviness in his heart grew unbearable.

"I am what the world ordains me to be," Sajin finally rumbled in reply, too exhausted to even consider tackling the second question. It felt as though a single gust of wind could cause him to collapse in his weakened state any moment.

Sajin began to walk once more, stumbling as he went. The frightened village elder quickly moved aside, lest he be crushed by him. It seemed there was something more the frail elder wanted to say, Sajin could tell from the way his lips quivered, but that didn't matter. Beasts had no place amongst men.

The wounded wolf waded through the crowd of villagers, clearing a massive path in his wake due to his size and everyone keen on moving out the way. He disappeared into the depths of thick forest beyond. None followed him, except for the trail of his own spilt blood.

Sajin thought about returning to the stag he hunted, until he realized another animal easily could've feasted on his kill hours ago. He pondered whether he should hunt or rest, until he felt something small tugging at the hems of his rags. Baffled, Sajin lowered his furry head, and found the same young boy he thought he'd never meet again.

"K-Kaname!?"

"Hi." The little boy covered his mouth and giggled. "Did I scare you? You sound like you saw a big scary ghost."

Sajin's fur flared up as he shivered uncontrollably, so enraged. "Kaname! Why are you here?"

"I asked the village elder about coming with you, and weirdly enough, he said nothing. That's why I'm here. I wanted to see how you were doing."

"And this is what you want?" Sajin pressed a large paw on a gaping wound on his chest, drawing out heaps of blood. "This is all you're going to get following me!"

"It's better than staying in a family who'd rather stab a person just because they're different." Kaname went closer to one of Sajin's knees and rubbed his head on the blood-soaked fur. "You're so hurt, Komamura…"

Sajin froze and stared down at the child, so overwhelmed by the heaviness in his heart, he couldn't find any words. Sajin was referred to as countless many things: an animal, a beast, and a monster. But never was he seen as a person.

It confused him to no end as to why this small, young child wanted to follow him despite witnessing a tiny glimpse of the hatred and violence he endured daily as a wolf man.

Sajin let out a deep, heavy sigh. "Fine. Don't get lost…"

Kaname's face brimmed with a smile, filled with relief. He never let go of the fur he hugged as he walked alongside the lumbering giant. The two trekked throughout the woodlands as Sajin coughed up blood and wobbled on his clawed feet, his giant frame threatening to collapse any moment.

"Hey, Komamura…" Kaname tugged on Sajin's rags.

"What?"

"When the people of my village attacked you, why didn't you ever fight back?"

"Hm…" Sajin was initially taken aback by this question until he shrugged. "I'm a kind man."

"Really?"

Sajin looked down at Kaname and cringed at himself. Kaname seemed well aware he was being blatantly lied to, and Sajin felt ashamed. He raised his voice on the youth who simply didn't know any better, so to be truthful, he wasn't anywhere near what could be considered kind. He hadn't a single interest in kindness nor gentleness in this brutal life.

Why then did he never defend himself?

Sajin contemplated this question many times, until he realized when the villagers ran their countless blades through him, never did he feel an ounce of pain. When he battled all ten of the Hollows by himself with solely his fists and fangs, never once did he feel hurt. The only pain he felt was the realization that the villagers weren't strong enough to put him down. It pained him that even the Hollows, as powerful and fearsome they were, still couldn't defeat him. Sajin yearned for death, but still prevailed in this endless torture known as life, and he just wanted to fucking cry.

"I'm a sad, sad man Kaname." Sajin fell to his hands and knees, unable to stop himself from shaking uncontrollably. "I'm so sad…"

Sajin couldn't get up from the aching of his heart, nor could he manage lifting his furry head. He howled so loudly, tree branches were shaken as he wallowed in the endless depths of his despair.

Kaname managed to move out the way of his fall, Sajin was relieved, but he couldn't stop thinking how pathetic he must've looked for the young child. Here he was, a big strong wolf who could battle Hollows with just his bare fists alone, and he looked so vulnerable.

Yet despite all this, Sajin felt a soft hand caressing his fur. Shocked, he opened his bestial eyes, and saw Kaname gently stroking the fluffy fur on his neck with sorrow, almost close to tears.

"Please don't be sad, Komamura," Kaname begged him.

For Sajin, not giving into his sadness seemed near-impossible. It was like trying to fight against the Gods.

But…

"I'll try…"