Name: Mayeda Naoko
Age: 13
Physical Description: At thirteen, Naoko looks like your average young teenager. Her short jet black hair frames her frail face, yet accentuates her dark brown eyes. The same deep brown eyes that seem to absorb the world around her, revealing a level of maturity that belies her young age. Standing at a modest height of 154 cm (5'1), she possesses a tiny frame, her graceful build indicative to the nimbleness needed in her ninja pursuits and her aptitude towards opportunism. She's often seen wearing her red jacket, spouting white fur within to keep her warm, and is rarely seen without it no matter the occasion.
Mental Description/Personality[/b]: Beneath her stoic and reserved yet happy demeaner is a girl haunted by memories of her past. She often finds herself unwilling or unable to connect with most children her age, and while still coming off as mostly friendly she's often described as strangely distant. When she does form a bond with classmates or fellow villagers, she finds herself loyal to a fault, going out of her way to assure those around her are safe from any threats. She's wise beyond her years, always willing to learn from those around her, and only giving input whenever she deems it appropriate. Kind, reserved, and full of resolve - Naoko looks forward to becoming a Ninja, keeping her village safe, and discovering the mystery that follows her every step.
History: Naoko's early years were full of profound happiness, up until the age of ten she lived happily in the outskirts of the village with her mother, father, and older brother Urahara. Her fondness for Urahara was something her parents described as uniquely beautiful, she was his right hand, and he was her world. Despite the shadows that shrouded Urahara's life, he was a constant presence in Naoko's world, and enigmatic figure who brought both mystery and security. After many secret assignments he would find himself coming home to his modest home, and embrace his role as a steadfast brother. And at night, before bed, he would often share tales of the ninja world, weaving fantastical stories that both mesmerized and reassured Naoko.
A couple years ago, before the end of her 'happy years', Naoko had just turned nine. Her parents celebrated her birthday the best they could, and she enjoyed it for what it was, but the one thing missing was the presence of her older brother. He'd often go months without returning home, and she would find herself daydreaming in the middle of her home schooling about the journeys he was on. Was he often to some new land? Who was he meeting? What good was he doing in this world - at the time she truly believed he could only be up to good - this was Urahara after all. When the night was over, her parents kissed her goodnight, and she dreamed of his adventures up until she slipped into a deep slumber. Hours later, she was startled awake by a firm shake of the shoulder. A man, brandishing a scary looking bright white cat mask with red whiskers was standing just inches from her bedside. One hand clasping her mouth and the other over the nose of the ironically pleasant mask. His hand allowed no screams to seep through, but once the mask was removed her fear quickly became joy. It was Urahara.
She hugged him, and if wasn't for his attempts to pry free, she swore to herself she'd never let him go again. He apologized for not being able to see her again, it had been far to long and wished her a happy birthday. She wanted to know where he had been, and he begun to share his stories, silently so that their parent's couldn't hear it seemed. All the while her eyes drifted over to the white mask he places on her bedside. He noticed, and smiled stoicly, his eyes soft. He explained the mask was a secret, but he'd tell her about it if she promised not to say a word to anyone. She promised, something she kept to this day. He was apart of a secret group of ninjas, called the ANBU. He didn't go into much detail about it, but after some convincing he allowed her to touch the mask. The memory of how that cold mask felt on her fingertips, and the bond she shared with her brother shaped her aspiration and determination to one day become a ninja herself. She swore by it vocally that night. That was the last night she ever saw Urahara.
He told her he may be gone for quite some time, but they'd meet each other again some day. When she asked for how long, he replied with a simple, "I don't know."
He tucked her in, and gave her one last story of what it was like being a ninja. She couldn't remember the story very well now a days, but one thing that remained ingrained in her memory was how sad he sounded.
A year went by. Life continued and was still good, but Naoko longed for the return of her brother. Until one sudden day, the light in her eyes died out. She came home from her usual chores around her parent's small ranch, tending to the animals, and came home to...nobody. Everybody was gone. Her house was ransacked, everything turned over in disarray. Fear stricken, and shaken to the core by the eerie silence that perpetuated the once lively home she ran to her nearest neighbor a couple miles down the road, not once stopping despite the fire in her chest and the aches in her legs. They helped get into contact with the authorities who investigated the case - which to this day remains a mystery. Just another case in the village, with a number on it and no ending. She was alone. She found herself in and out of multiple orphanages, none of which she enjoyed, and all of which she feared. The other children were ruthless, and she was small and unable to defend herself. Eventually she would meet Mr. Tatsuya. Life wasn't too bad after that.
She was only Eleven, when her true journey began.
Bloodline/Core ability: Core Ability: Opportunist
Mr. Tatsuya was Naoko's foster father, but he was everything that her father wasn't. Both her parents were warm, loving and understanding. Mr. Tatsuya was cold, soulless, and as single-minded as a gold fish. His favorite catchphrase was, "I'm not your father," or some sort of variety of that. Making it very clear he was just doing her a favor by giving her a roof over her head that wasn't some old dungy orphanage that'll do her more harm than good. He continued to be cold for quite a while, until he warmed up to her a bit, but that didn't mean he was ever necessarily nice. Until she found the secret room. It happened innocently enough, she wasn't looking for anything specifically. She was cleaning out his old dusty basement after school, and stumbled upon a plank that was slightly raised and out of place. After further investigation, she ended up uncovering a secret room below the basement. It was covered in dust, but displayed on dark walls only illuminated by the light of the basement above were weapons and then finally a pale fox mask. Similar to the mask her brother wore the last day she saw him.
The old man stood at the top of the uncovered manhole, "Didn't I tell you not to pry around," was all he said, but for once he didn't sound annoyed or upset. She opened up about her family, for the first time. This wasn't news to him, he read her file, but she'll never know that. Her words were full of pain and resolve, and tears filled her eyes in a strong display of emotions. Emotions he'd never seen from her. Her resolve was clear, she wanted to know what happened to her family, and she needed to know where her brother went just to make sure there was still truly someone out there that was her people. She wanted to be strong, like her brother was, and not let anyone suffer through the same pain she was going through at such a young age.
He suggested it before she could even get the words out. What if he trained her? At first, the idea sounded crazy to her. Then exciting. She was frail, but she remembered her brother's tales. He assured her, under his tutelage they would learn quickly whether she was cut out to even be a Ninja. It became very clear, within half a year that she certainly was. Her agility was prodigal, and her ability to adjust and think while moving was something not even genin many years above her experience level could attain. Over the months she trained with Mr. Tatsuya, he grew a little warmer, her training springing some much needed new life into him. But something was growing in her, behind her willingness to get better was a grand resolve, he felt it behind every strike she threw. Everything was with conviction. He knew then, she'd make a great ANBU soon enough.
He helped her apply to the academy, and despite starting a little older than most her age, her acceptance meant getting her one step closer to her goal. And one step closer to discovering the mystery of her brother and her families disappearance.
Age: 13
Physical Description: At thirteen, Naoko looks like your average young teenager. Her short jet black hair frames her frail face, yet accentuates her dark brown eyes. The same deep brown eyes that seem to absorb the world around her, revealing a level of maturity that belies her young age. Standing at a modest height of 154 cm (5'1), she possesses a tiny frame, her graceful build indicative to the nimbleness needed in her ninja pursuits and her aptitude towards opportunism. She's often seen wearing her red jacket, spouting white fur within to keep her warm, and is rarely seen without it no matter the occasion.
Mental Description/Personality[/b]: Beneath her stoic and reserved yet happy demeaner is a girl haunted by memories of her past. She often finds herself unwilling or unable to connect with most children her age, and while still coming off as mostly friendly she's often described as strangely distant. When she does form a bond with classmates or fellow villagers, she finds herself loyal to a fault, going out of her way to assure those around her are safe from any threats. She's wise beyond her years, always willing to learn from those around her, and only giving input whenever she deems it appropriate. Kind, reserved, and full of resolve - Naoko looks forward to becoming a Ninja, keeping her village safe, and discovering the mystery that follows her every step.
History: Naoko's early years were full of profound happiness, up until the age of ten she lived happily in the outskirts of the village with her mother, father, and older brother Urahara. Her fondness for Urahara was something her parents described as uniquely beautiful, she was his right hand, and he was her world. Despite the shadows that shrouded Urahara's life, he was a constant presence in Naoko's world, and enigmatic figure who brought both mystery and security. After many secret assignments he would find himself coming home to his modest home, and embrace his role as a steadfast brother. And at night, before bed, he would often share tales of the ninja world, weaving fantastical stories that both mesmerized and reassured Naoko.
A couple years ago, before the end of her 'happy years', Naoko had just turned nine. Her parents celebrated her birthday the best they could, and she enjoyed it for what it was, but the one thing missing was the presence of her older brother. He'd often go months without returning home, and she would find herself daydreaming in the middle of her home schooling about the journeys he was on. Was he often to some new land? Who was he meeting? What good was he doing in this world - at the time she truly believed he could only be up to good - this was Urahara after all. When the night was over, her parents kissed her goodnight, and she dreamed of his adventures up until she slipped into a deep slumber. Hours later, she was startled awake by a firm shake of the shoulder. A man, brandishing a scary looking bright white cat mask with red whiskers was standing just inches from her bedside. One hand clasping her mouth and the other over the nose of the ironically pleasant mask. His hand allowed no screams to seep through, but once the mask was removed her fear quickly became joy. It was Urahara.
She hugged him, and if wasn't for his attempts to pry free, she swore to herself she'd never let him go again. He apologized for not being able to see her again, it had been far to long and wished her a happy birthday. She wanted to know where he had been, and he begun to share his stories, silently so that their parent's couldn't hear it seemed. All the while her eyes drifted over to the white mask he places on her bedside. He noticed, and smiled stoicly, his eyes soft. He explained the mask was a secret, but he'd tell her about it if she promised not to say a word to anyone. She promised, something she kept to this day. He was apart of a secret group of ninjas, called the ANBU. He didn't go into much detail about it, but after some convincing he allowed her to touch the mask. The memory of how that cold mask felt on her fingertips, and the bond she shared with her brother shaped her aspiration and determination to one day become a ninja herself. She swore by it vocally that night. That was the last night she ever saw Urahara.
He told her he may be gone for quite some time, but they'd meet each other again some day. When she asked for how long, he replied with a simple, "I don't know."
He tucked her in, and gave her one last story of what it was like being a ninja. She couldn't remember the story very well now a days, but one thing that remained ingrained in her memory was how sad he sounded.
A year went by. Life continued and was still good, but Naoko longed for the return of her brother. Until one sudden day, the light in her eyes died out. She came home from her usual chores around her parent's small ranch, tending to the animals, and came home to...nobody. Everybody was gone. Her house was ransacked, everything turned over in disarray. Fear stricken, and shaken to the core by the eerie silence that perpetuated the once lively home she ran to her nearest neighbor a couple miles down the road, not once stopping despite the fire in her chest and the aches in her legs. They helped get into contact with the authorities who investigated the case - which to this day remains a mystery. Just another case in the village, with a number on it and no ending. She was alone. She found herself in and out of multiple orphanages, none of which she enjoyed, and all of which she feared. The other children were ruthless, and she was small and unable to defend herself. Eventually she would meet Mr. Tatsuya. Life wasn't too bad after that.
She was only Eleven, when her true journey began.
Bloodline/Core ability: Core Ability: Opportunist
Mr. Tatsuya was Naoko's foster father, but he was everything that her father wasn't. Both her parents were warm, loving and understanding. Mr. Tatsuya was cold, soulless, and as single-minded as a gold fish. His favorite catchphrase was, "I'm not your father," or some sort of variety of that. Making it very clear he was just doing her a favor by giving her a roof over her head that wasn't some old dungy orphanage that'll do her more harm than good. He continued to be cold for quite a while, until he warmed up to her a bit, but that didn't mean he was ever necessarily nice. Until she found the secret room. It happened innocently enough, she wasn't looking for anything specifically. She was cleaning out his old dusty basement after school, and stumbled upon a plank that was slightly raised and out of place. After further investigation, she ended up uncovering a secret room below the basement. It was covered in dust, but displayed on dark walls only illuminated by the light of the basement above were weapons and then finally a pale fox mask. Similar to the mask her brother wore the last day she saw him.
The old man stood at the top of the uncovered manhole, "Didn't I tell you not to pry around," was all he said, but for once he didn't sound annoyed or upset. She opened up about her family, for the first time. This wasn't news to him, he read her file, but she'll never know that. Her words were full of pain and resolve, and tears filled her eyes in a strong display of emotions. Emotions he'd never seen from her. Her resolve was clear, she wanted to know what happened to her family, and she needed to know where her brother went just to make sure there was still truly someone out there that was her people. She wanted to be strong, like her brother was, and not let anyone suffer through the same pain she was going through at such a young age.
He suggested it before she could even get the words out. What if he trained her? At first, the idea sounded crazy to her. Then exciting. She was frail, but she remembered her brother's tales. He assured her, under his tutelage they would learn quickly whether she was cut out to even be a Ninja. It became very clear, within half a year that she certainly was. Her agility was prodigal, and her ability to adjust and think while moving was something not even genin many years above her experience level could attain. Over the months she trained with Mr. Tatsuya, he grew a little warmer, her training springing some much needed new life into him. But something was growing in her, behind her willingness to get better was a grand resolve, he felt it behind every strike she threw. Everything was with conviction. He knew then, she'd make a great ANBU soon enough.
He helped her apply to the academy, and despite starting a little older than most her age, her acceptance meant getting her one step closer to her goal. And one step closer to discovering the mystery of her brother and her families disappearance.
