Katakuichi and his sister, Ryu, were members of the Yami Clan, a lineage steeped in shadow techniques. Growing up, Katakuichi idolized Ryu as he watched her train, her movements fluid and powerful. Yet, their parents were often preoccupied with clan affairs, leaving little room for family.
"Father, look what I made for you!" Katakuichi exclaimed one day, holding up a small wooden carving. His father barely glanced at him, dismissing him with a wave. "Later, son."
That evening, Katakuichi watched Ryu train, cheering her on as she executed a flawless technique. But he couldn't shake the feeling of loneliness that gnawed at him. Ryu noticed his distraction and approached him, concern etched on her face. "Little brother, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," he replied, trying to brush it off.
"C'mon, I can tell when you're lying. Spit it out."
"Fine," he sighed, his voice trembling. "You know Mom and Dad are always busy with their stupid clan. They pay attention to you and not me, and I feel so alone and unloved, sis…" Tears welled in his eyes as he knelt down, overwhelmed.
Ryu knelt beside him, wrapping her arms around him. "Look, little brother, things won't always be perfect, but you always have me. I will always love you… no matter what."
He stopped crying, looking up at her. "Promise?"
"I promise, lil bro," she said wholeheartedly, pulling him into a tight embrace.
Later that evening, they sat down for dinner, the table set for two. "Gee, they're still busy with their clan work. What's taking them so long?" Katakuichi asked, glancing at the empty seats.
Ryu playfully tapped his forehead. "Patience, brother."
"Hey, that hurts!" he protested, but a smile broke through his sadness.
"Ha! You'll survive," she laughed.
The next day, their parents returned, and the atmosphere shifted. They scrutinized Katakuichi, disappointment etched on their faces. "You're such a disappointment. You didn't inherit our shadow style," they chastised.
Ryu stepped in, defending her brother fiercely. "He's trying his best! You don't understand him at all!"
The argument escalated, and Ryu's resentment toward their parents grew. She began to consider leaving for the Mitsuki Clan, seeking a place where she felt valued.
A week later, Katakuichi awoke to an empty house. Ryu was gone, having taken it upon herself to spy on their parents. She discovered their dark secret: they were plotting to resurrect the Shadow King, Chernobog, with the help of the clan's higher-ups. The village remained oblivious to their intentions.
Later that day, Ryu took Katakuichi on a piggyback ride. He noticed her troubled expression. "Sis, what's wrong?"
"Nothing," she shrugged, but he could see through her facade.
"Sis, I know when you're lying," he said, referencing her earlier words.
She hesitated, contemplating whether to share the truth. "I'm just… tired."
"Tired? You? Haha, funny!" he teased, trying to lighten the mood.
"I really am!" she insisted, her tone serious.
"Fine," he replied playfully, but the laughter faded.
"I love you, lil bro. You're so kind and wholesome. Stay good, even when it hurts, okay?" she said, setting him down.
"Promise?" she asked, looking into his eyes.
"Promise!" he replied, smiling.
As the laughter faded, Ryu made her way to the Mitsuki Clan, seeking a new path. "Hello, I'm looking for a job…" she said, stepping into their territory.
The Mitsuki Clan members braced themselves. "She's from the Yami Clan! Brace yourselves!"
"Calm down. I know the truth about the Yami Clan and their plan to resurrect the Shadow King," Ryu declared.
"So what? How can we trust you?" they challenged.
Ryu disarmed herself, showing her sincerity. "By doing this…"
The Mitsuki Clan members were taken aback. "Very well… sit down, and let me tell you the truth about the Yami Clan."
As they gathered around a bonfire, they recounted the history of their clans. "Long ago, before the existence of the Yami Clan or the Mitsuki Clan, there was only emptiness. In this void, Chernobog, the Shadow King, emerged, gravely injured and on the brink of death. He approached the leaders of the Yami people, proposing a pact: in exchange for their loyalty, he would grant them the power of shadows. However, this power came with a dark price—freedom for Chernobog, who sought to rid the world of suffering by annihilating it.
The Mitsuki Clan, however, opposed this sinister plan. We fought valiantly against the Yami Clan, but their newfound strength overwhelmed us, forcing us to retreat. We found refuge in a distant camp, where we faced starvation and despair. Just when hope seemed lost, a light deity appeared before us, offering sustenance and salvation. This was Amaterasu, the Light Goddess, who was also near death.
In her compassion, she bestowed upon us the powers we needed to stand against the Shadow King when he returned. We pledged our loyalty to her, serving her every need as she recovered within a sacred light relic. Thus, the Mitsuki Clan was born, forged in the light to combat the darkness that threatened our world."
Ryu listened intently, her heart heavy with the weight of her clan's history. She felt a pang of regret for not coming to them sooner. Kneeling before the light goddess, she cried, "I'm so sorry for everything I've done for the Yami Clan."
Amaterasu reached out, enveloping Ryu in a warm glow. "It's okay, my child. You have the power to change your path."
"When can we start?" Ryu asked, determination igniting within her.
Weeks passed as the Mitsuki Clan prepared for their sneak attack against the Yami Clan. Ryu, however, couldn't shake the feeling of unease as she caught glimpses of Katakuichi, still mourning the loss of their family. A Mitsuki member nudged her, urging her to focus. "Keep moving. We have a mission."
Meanwhile, Katakuichi remained in their home, feeling the absence of his sister and the indifference of their parents. Minutes later, Ryu entered the house, finding their parents kneeling, a sense of foreboding in the air.
"Ryu… so you swooped in to the Mitsuki Clan, huh?" their father said, his voice laced with disappointment.
"Yeah," Ryu replied, her resolve hardening.
"We only wanted to rid this world of suffering. We loved you both for what you are," their mother added, her tone pleading.
"Any last words?" Ryu asked, her voice steady but her heart racing.
"Just promise me this… protect Katakuichi, even if it means throwing your life away!" their father implored.
"I promise" Ryu replies In a moment of anguish, Ryu drew her sword, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm sorry…" she whispered before striking down her mother and father.
"Ryu!" Katakuichi's voice echoed as he rushed into the room, only to be met with the sight of their parents' lifeless bodies. "Sis… what—"
Before he could finish, Ryu threw a blow dart at him, whispering, "I'm sorry, Katakuichi…" as he fell into a deep sleep.
The Mitsuki Clan launched their attack on the shadow relic containing Chernobog, unaware of the true nature of their mission. Shidou and Gaki stood guard, oblivious to the manipulation of the higher-ups.
"Like my new trick, Gaki?" Shidou boasted, summoning a thousand shadow clones.
"Show off," Gaki replied nonchalantly, but the tension in the air was palpable.
The Mitsuki Clan, weakened and frightened, retreated, vowing to return stronger. Ryu, too, withdrew, her heart heavy with the weight of her actions.
Back at the Yami Clan's home, the higher-ups congratulated their comrades for defending their territory. "Good job, everyone!" they praised, but a shadow of suspicion loomed over them.
"But I'm afraid there is a traitor among us," one of the higher-ups said, leading them to Katakuichi's home. They discovered the aftermath of Ryu's actions, her betrayal evident in the bloodshed.
They found Katakuichi unconscious and rushed him to a hospital, where he was treated for his injuries. In the aftermath, Sensei Masaki and his wife, Miharu, took him in, offering him a new home and a chance to heal.
As he lays in bed, Katakuichi vowed to himself, "I will find Ryu, and I will make her pay for what she's done. I will never trust anyone again."
With a heavy heart, he approached Masaki, who had taken on the role of his mentor. "Train me," Katakuichi demanded, his voice firm. "I want to join Kage no Daigaku."
Masaki nodded, understanding the pain and determination in the boy's eyes. "Very well. But remember, strength comes not just from power, but from understanding and forgiveness."
Katakuichi clenched his fists, the fire of vengeance burning within him. He would become stronger, not just for himself, but to confront the sister he once adored, now a shadow of the person he had loved.
The Shadow King later found himself in the body of a little boy named Haru by finding a new perfect host and transitioning to him since birth.