Sekushi Kokoro (Sekushi Kokoro - Arc 1)

Sekushi Kokoro was born among two slaves in the noble household of Van. Her parents were only allowed to keep her as they promised to raise her to be a servant. Tentak Van agreed on these terms and figured his newely born son could have a potential friend. His prediction was right, the little Sekushi took an immediate liking to a young Kousu and the two became fast friends getting into all sorts of mischeif together. Despite Sekushi being raised with household duties and responsibilities the two kept getting into trouble, with Kousu accepting most of the blame in order to protect his friend. As the years went on the two had childhood fantasies of getting older and ruling over the household. When Sekushi says she's just a servant, not exactly a ruling position Kousu counters that when he's in charge they'll get married and she'll be his lady of the house. The idea of a future romance with her best friend was silly but also deep down very nice.

When the two became teenagers they began a more physical relationship with eachother, public displays of affection and sneaking away to snog in the broom closet or the gardens when they were supposed to be working and studying. For the differences in their class the pair were happy. However this happieness would not last, being a noble child of 16 Kousu would leave his home studies and enter the Imperial Academy for his training as one of the future noble heads of household in the Deverum Empire. Sekushi would spend her days working and missing her beloved, when he would return he was always exhausted and would lay his head atop her lap, content. Unfortunately Kousu's test scores in both the class and the training yard gained him the attention of Imperial Intelligence. He was approached and presented an offer to become an Imperial Enforcer, one of the Empire's elite operatives that answer directly to the Emperor. He agreed instantly and ran home to Sekushi to tell her the good news. At first she was thrilled, her dear Kousu moving up in the world and creating a future for them. But what the innocent pair didn't understand was everything was about ot change.

The Enforcer program was more brutal than basic training in the Imperial Military. Kousu lived on base and would eat, sleep, and drink the Imperial dogma - strength above all else. He was among 50 other candidates from all over the city and had to constantly look over his shoulder. On the weekends he would go home and breakdown infront of Sekushi, sobbing against her chest on the horrors he witnessed. The limbs broken, the souls crushed, and the killing, students were allowed to kill eachother during class hours, it was horrifying. Sekushi was always their to calm her beloved and at first asked him to leave the program. But he couldn't you only leave victorious or in a body bag. Sadly the comfort of Sekushi was not enough for him, he had to kill his classmates for survival, watch as the allies he made were cut down by his rivals. He began taking in the Imperial Doctrine, living it, the violence, the murder, the brainwashing, it changed him. He became colder, harsher, violent, and calculated. When he came back to Sekushi he was changed and she was not spared from his new found coldness. He would demeane her, slap her, and treat her like the slave she was.

The abuse went further sadly as he started using Sekushi as his sexual plaything much to her cries for him to stop. Each time he was home he would take advantage of her until she pleaded for him to stop. The childhood fantasy was shattered though Sekushi still held out hope. Kousu eventually was the last cadet standing and he was marked as an Imperial Enforcer. At his graduation celebration Sekushi hesitantly revealed to Kousu that she was with child, his child. She hoped and pleaded this may change things, that he would be here, with her, and that things could go back to normal. But Kousu looked upon her coldy and walked away. When Tentak found out he was troubled however agreed to let the child be spared. Sekushi again confronted Kousu but he slapped her and beat her that this was her fault, his child a slaves spawn? Never. Sekushi tried talking to her parents but they were of no help either, seeing this as a potential for a higher status than servant life. With no one to turn to for comfort, her childhood fantasy gone, she saw the true nature of the Empire. Her Kousu was gone and all that remained was a monster.

Fearing for her future child's life she stowed away on a supply transport and ran away to the lower levels of Kor, where she knew Kousu wouldn't be able to find her. Unfortunately the undercity was not as welcoming as she had hoped and she found herself being harressed by the many gangs there. Shelter was scarce and food was even scarcer as she grew weaker by the day. She didn't want to die, she didn't want to lose her child, but the gangs were looking like her best option. When she approached one of the gangs offering her servant skills for food or money they took her to their hideout. Little did she know they were followed and when the gang leader told her to exchange sexual favors for food he got violent when she refused, threatening to beat in her stomach which was now showing a baby bump. Before he got the chance the lights cut out and there was a commotion, Sekushi was met in the darkness by glowing blue eyes and crystals softly illuminating a slender form. There was roar and shouting from the gang members as they ran out of the room clearly terrified. When the lights came back on Sekushi was faced to face with a alien. He identified himself as Lasah, a csilla, hence the glowing eyes and crystals adorning his dark blue skin. He offered to get her some food and bring her to the resistance. Reluctantly she went with him and she was brought to an secret hideaway with a flourishing rebel cell.

After being introduced to their leader, Wallace Sadine, she was brought to the medical bay where she recieved treatment for her bruises and scars and got an ultrasound. Her child was thankfully unharmed. Wallace came and discussed with her living arrangments within the base until the child was born. When she inquired about her services he declined them saying her well being and her child's were more important than any form of payment. Over the next months until her child was born she stayed primarily in the medical bay with constant visits and aid from Lasah who had taken a liking to her and a curiousity towards her child, explaining that csilla don't carry their young this way. Sekushi grew fond of Lasah and his innocent and caring nature. She gave birth to a healthy baby girl and named her Kira. She allowed Lasah to hold her and she felt her heart melting seeing this blue boy be so gentle and sweet with her daughter.

During her recooperation she had time to think about her next moves. Wallace hadn't approached her about leaving or paying them back in anyway, infact he had come to see the child and said he hopes one day this world will be a peaceful place for her to grow and thrive. The words hit home for Sekushi, it's exactly what she wanted. She lost what childhood innocence she had at the age of 15, and a year later here she is, sitting in a medical bed holding a child she didn't want, in a place she doesn't call home, with people who are kind yet complete strangers. In this moment she chose to seize her destiny as she cradled little Kira. She swore to make this world a better place for her.

Sekushi formally joined the resistance and began training with a blaster. As the weeks went on she honed her skills with twin pistols and started working within the resistance. Wallace taught her the complexities of leading and finance, Major Darmen Boltare instructed her on explosives and engineering, and Wallace's second in command Lin Maroon, showed her how to stalk the shadows and silently strike at her prey. In months time she was a prominent squad captain with a team of talented individuals. Thanks to her efforts the resistance started gaining ground in the lower city, and as the years went on and Kira grew Sekushi found herself pushing harder and harder for the resistance to begin open war with the Deverum Empire. Though her over zealousness was calmed when she'd see Lasah playing with Kira or holding her. She had grown fond of the csilla, he wanted for nothing and took joy in seeing her and Kira happy.

Unfortunately the momentum of the resistance wouldn't last for long. When the pompus and lazy Imperial Governor was mysteriously assassinated a new one stepped in, this one more calculated and aware of the resistances prescense. More and more he choked their supply lines and dismantled the hope they had begun instilling in people. With their resources dwindling Sekushi began worrying for Kira, she didn't want to take her away from all she knew but has a mother she had to think of her child's well being. Wallace sent her and her squad on one last mission, a raid on an Imperial Weapons Depot. If they failed to get the supplies he would send the resistance into hiding. The information on the weapons depot was a trap set by the governor and Sekushi's transport was shot down, her squad was surrounded and she was unable to raise Lasah on the com to tell him she's sorry. As the squard prepared to open fire they heard the rev of a speeder and saw a whirlwind of dust and smoke engulf them. When it died down a young man with spikey dark hair with a massive sword on his back stepped off the speeder and charged the imperials, cutting the entire front line down in seconds. Sekushi and her squad joined in the fire fight and helpd dispatch the rest.

Sekushi introduced herself to the young man, Hikari Shiriko, and pleaded for his help. He only relented once she offered pay and they were able to raid the weapons depot withint a hitch. Upon returning she introduced Hikari to Wallace and encouraged her superior to convince Hikari to join the resistance. He agreed to only do a few jobs for them and Sekushi made it her goal to befriend him. He was an asset and they were in desperate need of help, she even introduced him to Kira who by this point was 8 years old and full of energy and life. Much to her surprise the cold stoic mercenary took a liking to the innocent bundle of joy and curiosity. Wallace assigned Sekushi to work closely with Hikari, to hopefully convience him to join the resistance. Despite his bleak attitude on practically everyone Sekushi took pleasure in making jabs at him and teasing him. He would never admit it but Sekushi knew they were becoming good friends.

With Hikari in the field she was able to spend some more time with Lasah developing a semi-romantic relationship with him, filled with playful teasing and a little bit of PDA. Though it didn't help the poor man's heart that Kira refferred to him as "dad". She wasn't ready for something serious yet so for the time being she enjoyed what they had.