tw; death, murder, manipulation
Takehiko was born in Umbra to Lord Yoshiro Kurosawa and Lady Izumi Kurosawa. He grew up in his family’s opulent and ancestral estate. Due to his inquisitive nature, he never remained idle for long. He’d explore the land around, observing the common folk and their everyday lives. He started painting various scenes, quickly developing a love for art. He never really enjoyed the company of other nobles, finding their classism distasteful. Inherently kind, he remained polite and courteous to even the lowliest of commoners he ran into, despite his status.
Growing up, his closest companion was his brother, Noboru. Noboru was impish, often causing mischief and dragging a reluctant Takehiko along. Despite this, Takehiko was willing to see past his flaws, adoring and looking after him. The two brothers were close, but as time passed, Noboru became increasingly bitter. Their parents showed heavy favouritism towards Takehiko and he resented that. Takehiko was, unfortunately, oblivious of his brother’s jealousy.
Outside of that, Takehiko’s circle of friends had always been small. He’d often shy away from others and struggled with social cues. Those and the often huge class difference meant that it was hard for him to make friends. The one he remembers the most was a Zorua named Jirou Takagi. The Kurosawas often employed the Takagi Clan, thus Takehiko came to know their heir. Slowly, they connected through their commonalities, and he began to enjoy Jirou’s company. Although other nobles sneered at this development, they remained close friends in their youth.
His father had a group of associates that would stop by periodically. They differed from the officials and other lords that would occasionally visit. Curious, Takehiko would eavesdrop on their conversations, catching snippets but never fully understanding. He had questions, but they were not answered. He was told that a child should not bother with adult matters and that he will know in time.
At the age of 10, he wandered off further than usual from home. A pathway lit by only a few lanterns. He figured that was a quicker route. It was dim and quiet, but it became apparent that he was being followed. Someone suddenly appeared right beside him- a samurai, one of the many that served his family. Their sword was drawn, ready to protect him from- two figures, armed and blocking both sides. The samurai attacked the one that lunged at Takehiko. The other managed to grab him, but they were quickly killed, too. He was then escorted back home, shocked and bloodied. It was later discovered that a rivalling family sent the attackers.
Due to the incident, Takehiko’s parents decided to reveal their plans early to him. His father was the head of a yakuza clan, the source of the family’s wealth and power. Established by their ancestors during the ancient days of Sol, its power has grown since then. As the eldest child, Takehiko was to succeed his father and lead the criminal empire. After that, he began being treated like an adult. He was trained to fulfil his duty, to follow in the footsteps of his father and the ones before him.
But it began eating him from the inside. Guilt. It shamed him, knowing his family’s criminal roots and legacy. Thrust into Umbra’s criminal underworld, he was no longer blind to the sin and vice that surrounded him. Corruption was rampant amongst them- the nobles of his father’s court, and even the samurai generals he once looked up to. He was made to observe the clan’s acts as part of his training. The people they’ve hurt- it haunted him. He didn’t know how they could do it so easily.
He was also trained to succeed his father as a lord, of course. Etiquette and pose. Present himself neatly, the peasants look up to them. Mingle with the nobles. Note their rivalries and infighting, their attempts to gain favour in their vie for power. A katana and a wakizashi forged for a Kurosawa- gifted to him. He was taught swordsmanship along with bowmanship and martial arts.
Problems arose when he started to hinder the clan’s activities. He’d mess it up somehow, intentionally or not. Eventually, his parents began to tire of his excuses and mistakes. He had pleaded with his parents to let him be, that this wasn’t what he wanted, but to no avail. He is a Kurosawa, and he should act like one. But Takehiko’s conscience held firm. Try as they might, they were unable to stomp out his moral compass. The clan took notice of this. He could hear them. Too kind to be a Kurosawa. Too soft-hearted to be truly considered as the successor to their current leader. Too naïve to make the truly harsh decisions expected of the next heir.
Takehiko hated hearing those words because they were right.
He knew he didn’t have what it took. Unlike his family, unlike his forebears, he would never be able to truly live up to the mantle of the clan.
Slipping into shadows, he’d find respite. If he were lucky, he’d even sneak into the stables and take one of the Rapidash. Somewhere far from home, barely touched by civilisation. Then, he’ll paint. He felt at peace, being lost in his own painted world. He wished he could escape, but he knew they’d find him.
Then there was Noboru. Takehiko would confide in him, pour all his worries, his fear, his sorrow, onto him. Noboru would smile, offer comforting words, be there for him. He had no idea of his brother’s plan. He had no idea of the web of lies his brother had woven. Carefully, Noboru discouraged him from talking with his friends. Gradually, Takehiko stopped seeing them.
He and Jirou drifted apart as well. As heirs of their respective families, expectations only grew as they got older. Less and less they’d find time to hang out until eventually, they agreed to part ways in order to focus on their duties. But everything will be ok, right? They’ll see each other again someday. Months turned to years as Takehiko tried his best to march on.
With no one else but Noboru left, Takehiko was now a puppet free for him to control. Noboru was the only one he could depend on. He trusted his brother. He would do anything for him. Even if it was uncomfortable. Even if it hurt. After all, Noboru knew what was best for him, right?
He just turned 24 when it happened. An attack by a rival lord. Even from his family’s estate, smoke and fire were visible. He watched troops of samurai leave for battle. They were focused on the threat from outside- an oversight. Yoshiro was found dead. There was a struggle- he managed to kill his attackers before succumbing to his wounds. Izumi assumed leadership, albeit temporarily. Takehiko is next in line, after all. However, even with the increased pressure on him, he still refused leadership. That greatly angered the clan elders. In their eyes, he was neglecting his duty and bringing dishonour to his family name.
Noboru asked to meet him at the top of their family’s estate. Of course, he obliged. Twilight was approaching when Takehiko arrived. When he saw Noboru, he felt ecstatic. Relieved. Safe.
He let his guard down.
Takehiko felt a sudden sharp pressure through his abdomen. Blood dripped. He looked down to see the source of the pain. A blade was piercing through him. Noboru’s sword. He looked him in the eye and finally saw his brother for what he truly is. Words failed him. That cruel smile never leaving his face, Noboru then dislodged his sword and promptly kicked Takehiko over the ledge.
He plummeted. Pain exploded everywhere as he hit multiple things on the way down. A deafening ring filled his ears when he finally reached the ground. Darkness surrounded his vision. His breathing was strained as his grip on the mortal coil slipped. He didn’t know how long he laid there. The temperature had dropped, and frost began creeping onto his skin.
It would seem that his story ended there. His disappearance was covered up. Only the clan knew what had become of him. Everyone else was unaware- they received no clear answers. As time passed, he faded- left to be quietly forgotten.
Ashes
Unbeknownst to them, however, he lived. The few hours that had passed felt like an eternity. He could only see a sliver of the sky. Thoughts ran through his head. His parents. The clan. Noboru.
He no longer felt cold. There was a burning feeling he couldn’t describe. It wouldn’t let him die.
He won’t die here.
He got up. His body screamed in pain as he moved, but he gave little pause. The world was spinning. He trudged on with determination but with no idea where he was going. He hid from noises and silhouettes, sinking and emerging from shadows. He didn’t know how far he went. He just kept going. Inevitably, his exhaustion became too great. No longer able to ignore his injuries, he collapsed. His body hit a cold, metallic floor before he lost consciousness.
When he finally awoke, he felt something off. His eyes shot around the unfamiliar room. Tech he hadn’t seen before, sleek and modern. He was no longer on Umbra. There were people, talking, not yet noticing he was awake. He focused back on himself. He was on a bed; multiple tubes were attached to him. Panic kicked in. He began ripping the tubes out. The others quickly took notice and tried to stop him from doing so. That only sent him further into panic. He screamed and fought against them before he was sedated and fell unconscious.
He woke up again, but with restraints on him. Quietly accepting defeat, he remained calm this time. The others were then able to explain what happened. He had crawled onto a ship before collapsing. The crew noticed him after they left Umbra and brought him to a hospital.
He had nowhere to go after that. One member of the crew took pity and offered to take him in- An Urshifu only known as Khan. Takehiko, seeing no other option, followed him. They arrived in a remote village on Fortis. The community was tight-knit and welcoming, but the Marshadow observed that they stayed out of Khan’s way.
Khan appeared to have seen some kind of potential in Takehiko. He offered to train the latter, teach him how to fight and survive. Takehiko was given back the swords that were taken from him when he was found. Reminded of what he lost, he accepted.
The next three years of his life were brutal.
He came to fear Khan, only referring to him as ‘Sensei’. What little of his ego and self-esteem was beaten into the dirt, verbally and literally. Training in Fortis’s harsh environment, he was pushed to the limits. Khan was set on making it hell for his apprentice. From pelting him with rocks to throwing him into freezing waters, Takehiko could barely catch a break. There were times where he got knocked out, where his injuries prevented him from even getting out of bed. Khan would drag him out, and it was back to training.
Eventually, Khan began bringing him along on bounty missions. The Single Strike Style Urshifu was brutal, carving through outlaws with ease. In their first few excursions, Takehiko froze up. He slipped up, forgot his training, broke down when the mission was over. His first kill- he panicked, messily stabbing a bandit repeatedly with his wakizashi until they stopped moving. It got easier from that point onwards. He became desensitised to the violence and eventually was able to hold his own.
The end result was more automaton than Pokemon. Takehiko was timid and frail when he first arrived on Fortis. If he weren’t the only Marshadow in the village, the others would’ve certainly thought he was a new person entirely. He was now quiet, methodical, and dead-serious, filled with renewed vengeance. He no longer interacted with the villagers as much, and when he had to, he kept it brief.
Khan disappeared. Said he was going to deal with something and left. He didn’t return. Didn’t even declare their training complete or anything. Takehiko never heard from him again. Eventually, the Marshadow decided to leave. He started going after bounties. However, he was on his own now, and barely survived the first few, let alone claim them. He learned from them each time. Gradually, his skills were honed. Experience and knowledge- he gained. He started claiming bounties.
He got bolder. He started going after those without bounties. Primarily members of organised crime, but also those he found to be guilty of a significant crime. His time spent with his clan had paid off, but not in a way they expected. Being taught and shown how criminals operated, he used that to his advantage. He didn’t get compensated for going after them, but he did take whatever he could find off them. Beginning with simple street gangs, he slowly moved towards bigger fish.
He stopped by Ferrum often. He obtained a BT-5 to cover his lack of ranged attacks. He also sought to get his hands on armour. It started off simple- standard and lightweight. It would get wrecked during his work, and he’d have to get it repaired. Along with repairs, he’d request modifications. Over time, the armour began to evolve. Bit by bit, it became a part of his new identity.
Takehiko learned. He grew. He searched them out. Hunted them down. Fought. Attacked. Killed. Sometimes things go well. Sometimes they don’t. He’d ask himself, how will he deal with them next? What’s the best way to do it? Day after day. Month after month. Those were the sole thoughts that resided in his head. He tested every idea he had when the opportunity presented itself. In time, he came to relish it.
Five years working alone. As soon as he finished his work, he’d disappeared as quickly as he showed up. His species’s natural ability to sink into shadows aided him in evading attempts to capture him. Claiming bounties were enough to keep him afloat.
All the while, though, he never set foot on Umbra. Ingrained deep in his mind- fear. He wasn’t ready to face his former clan. Slowly, he gathered info about and through the clan’s operations outside of Umbra. Of course, Noboru was the new head honcho. Carefully monitoring, but never engaging. He wasn’t ready to confront them. But… He swore that someday, somehow, he’ll bring it all down.
Someday, he’ll finally return home.
Together
He had tracked down a group of outlaws to their hideout on Tempest and engaged in combat. Quickly gaining the upper hand, the outlaws started retreating. He wasn’t expecting a civilian to be caught up in the fighting, however. He decided to save them, letting the rest of the outlaws escape. He carried the civilian to a nearby hospital, and after that, he left without a word like always. He didn’t think much about that day.
Someone approached him a few weeks later. An Alolan Ninetales named Dr. Park Hyeon-eun, a medic working for the Valiant Order. The same guy he saved. He thanked Takehiko. And then didn’t leave. Hyeon-eun was adamant on following Takehiko despite attempts to dissuade him.
“Teach me.”
Takehiko was caught off guard by that request. Eventually, though, he relented. Figured it wouldn’t hurt to teach him how to defend himself. There were hints of a steely determination under Hyeon-eun’s meek and kindly demeanour. This felt familiar. Takehiko was nowhere near as harsh as Khan, though that wasn’t a difficult feat to achieve. He taught the Ninetales how to fight. Eventually, he started joining Takehiko on his bounty hunting missions. Though at the start it was, again, him following along despite being told not to. The Marshadow tried his best to make sure his apprentice didn’t get hurt.
Hyeon-eun proved himself to be a valuable partner. He played his role as a support well, assisting Takehiko in utilising various strategies. Having a doctor readily by his side to patch up his wounds wasn’t bad either. Steadily, their trust in each other deepened. They started hanging out outside of training and missions.
By some miracle, he had found himself a loyal companion and friend. He allowed himself to open up and confide in Hyeon-eun. The Ninetales was sweet and genuine, always quick to come to his aid no matter the objections he may raise. As Takehiko’s pragmatism gradually rubbed off on him, Hyeon Eun’s compassion took root within him in return. There was something else, too- a feeling he hadn’t felt before. Its name eluded him. Confusing emotions he struggled to process whenever Hyeon-eun expressed support towards him.
But… He’ll figure it out later. He’s got bigger issues to deal with.
It’s been twelve years since he left Umbra. How will his story truly end? Who knows.
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