Chapter Text
"Hey there's that freak Yonaka."
"Watch out he might curse us."
"C'mon let's go quick."
A group of three young boys ran down the dark street, away from a lone figure in a green hoodie and dark skinny jeans, ripped at the knee.
The figure watched them go from under it's hood before continuing on its way with a click of its tongue.
"Tch, what a stupid thing to say, I can't curse people."
Freak. Weirdo. Abomination. Monster. These words were all too familiar to Kiiro, he was used to the harsh treatment he got from others due to being 'cursed' as people often called it.
With fair skin, honey blond hair that grew to just past his chin and bangs that covered his right eye slightly the teen sure didn't look cursed. Sure his left eye was lighter green than his right, but you wouldn't really notice unless you looked closely but no, that wasn't the reason. The thing that set him apart from others, the reason he was called a freak was the black mark on the back of his neck that resembled a cat sitting with its tail curled around it.
Kiiro Yonaka was a Hozei-Zumi.
Hozei-Zumi are humans born with special powers and birthmarks on their bodies. Both of these can vary in shape and type, but the marks are usually some sort of animal or mythical creature. No one knows how or why this happens or even what the marks are for other than showing that the person is different. Though some Hozei-Zumi start showing characteristics of the animal displayed in their marks as they grow older, such as ears or tails, fangs and even claws, some even grow patches of fur or scales on their skin.
But this was just scratching the surface. Many things were only known to the Hozei-Zumi themselves and with the mixed reception they received, they weren't exactly open to sharing information about themselves to anyone else.
A meow came from the wall next to the blond. Kiiro glanced up to see a black cat with bright green eyes sitting there.
"What?" He asked. "I can't." He carried on walking.
Eventually he came to a large building with a pale yellow exterior and a blue door with a sign above that read in bright, colorful lettering,
Pride Place
Where we are proud to be different!
Kiiro pressed the buzzer on the intercom attached to the wall outside. But nothing happened. He rolled his eyes and tried again. Nothing. After a third try with no result the teen let out an irritated sigh.
"Sneaking Shadows." He murmured, placing his hand on the ground. Then, starting from his hand his whole body seemed to melt into the shadows beneath the door.
Moments later Kiiro reappeared on the other side of the door.
He sighed again when he noticed the sleeping receptionist, 19 year old Dameda Namakemono. His freckled face relaxed and his pale red hair poking out from beneath a black beanie.
"I really don't know why they insist on having you work reception Dameda." He reached over and flicked the napping teen in the forehead.
Dameda fell out of his chair with a yell. "Woah, hey what the?!" He spotted the smirking blond leaning over the desk. "Oh Kiiro it's you." He gave a sheepish smile. "Keep this between us, yeah?"
"Not like Hiro would fire you anyway." Kiiro shrugged, referring to the co-owner of Pride Place Hiroto Mizubuki.
"I know, but he will lecture me… again." Dameda countered, picking himself up off the floor. Suddenly his chocolate brown eyes lit up with realisation. "Oh, speaking of Hiroto, he wanted to see you!"
Kiiro's shoulders sagged. "Ugh looks like I'm the one in for a lecture." He groaned. "I'm gonna get changed first." He muttered as he turned to head for the staircase.
Dameda yawned and stretched, removing his beanie in the process, revealing a pair of pointy, black tipped, tufted ears and from his place near the staircase Kiiro could see a short, stubby, pale brown striped tail.
Dameda was also a Hozei-Zumi. His mark was of a Bobcat, located on the left side of his abdomen, evident when he stretched, and it was a pale orange color.
In fact, all the residents of Pride Place were Hozei-Zumi. That was the reason Hiroto and his partner Aijin set it up. They wanted to create a safe place for any 'gifted individuals' to go if they needed it. The large building not only provided living space for at least 30 people (more if they shared a room with another) with a large kitchen downstairs and a community room with games and other activities, a study room with plenty of books and two computers that had been donated by locals who appreciated what the two were doing. Basic furniture was provided in the living spaces, anything else had to be bought by the residents themselves, there was a (very) low rent fee and Hiroto even let people work for him instead of paying, like Dameda who had been taken on not long after Kiiro himself.
Aside from Dameda, Hiroto and Aijin and himself, there were only two other tenants in Pride Place, a 20 year old who lived on the third floor named Tantei, he was very secretive about himself, the left side of his face was covered by his grey hair and his piercing crimson eyes felt like they were peering right into your soul, the only thing Kiiro knew about him was the fact that his mark was some sort of big cat and he had similar powers to him, not much to go on.
Then there was Tanoshi Johin, his room was on the second floor, he was loud and energetic and really strong. Kiiro had bumped into the brown haired, green eyed teen the day after he had arrived and the blond was the one who ended up on the floor, honestly it had felt like walking into a brick wall! And with good reason, Tanoshi's mark was that of a bull, it was bright red in color and located on his chest. Kiiro had found this out while using the pool located at the back of the building (part of the ground floor had once been used for a gym, apparently the building used to be a health resort of some sort.)
Kiiro opened the door to his room to find the black cat from earlier sitting on his bed.
"You gonna lecture me now too Kage?" He asked as he removed his hoodie revealing his own animal traits, a pair of black cat ears and a tail that was tucked into the belt loops on his jeans.
"Other than you being out alone again at a late hour I have nothing to lecture you about." The cat replied.
Any other person would have found this rather alarming, but not Kiiro. He continued changing as if it was normal. Because for him, it was. Kage was Kiiro's Setsuzoku.
A Setsuzoku is a creature that appears the moment a Hozei-Zumi is born and matches the birthmark they get. It will stay with them all their life, growing with them and teaching them about their abilities. The connection between Setsuzoku and Hozei-Zumi is where their powers - and animal traits of course - come from, the closer the connection, the stronger the power. They have the ability to change their size at will and are only visible to Hozei-Zumi. Because of this, regular humans are unaware that the Setsuzoku even exist.
Kiiro, now dressed in a plain green t-shirt and black pants, sat on the bed next to Kage. "You of all people should know I need alone time Kage."
"I do know that Kiiro." Kage replied. "But I also know that you need to be careful or you may end up in the same situation that brought you here."
Kiiro grimaced, knowing all too well what the cat was referring to. "I was a kid back then." He said, looking down at his hands. "I'm stronger now. If I even see those guys again I'll…"
"With strength comes responsibility Kiiro." Kage cautioned the teen. "You can't just pick fights with people willy nilly."
"Why not?! They did!" The blond protested. "I never did anything to them and they just…" His hands were balled into fists as he got off the bed. "Forget it, I'd better go see Hiro before he gets annoyed." He left the room.
"So much anger." Kage murmured with a shake of his head. "Though I suppose it's to be expected when the world seemingly turns against you from the moment you are born."
Kiiro found Hiroto in the community room, he was sat on a sofa talking to Tantei, Aijin was next to him and beside the sofa lay a large white tiger, Hiroto's Setsuzoku, Shiroha. Behind the sofa stood a stag, this was Aijin's Setsuzoku, named Hono.
Hiroto and Tantei seemed to just be wrapping up their conversation as Kiiro entered, so he waited patiently near the door until the grey haired young man stood and took his leave with a polite nod to Kiiro as he did so.
"Ah, Kiiro, just the guy I needed to see." Hiroto smiled, getting to his feet.
Hiroto Mizubuki, age 24, when noth taking care of the residents of Pride Place, he was a martial arts instructor. Tall, muscular and fair skinned with yellow eyes and slightly spiked light brown hair out of which poked two rounded black ears with a single white spot on the back of each, a black and white striped tail swished behind him and he had a few patches of fur on his forearms, he certainly left an impression on you. His smile revealed especially sharp canines yet nobody that met him felt threatened (unless of course he wanted them to), due in part to his caring personality and fierce devotion to giving young Hozei-Zumi the chance to live peacefully.
"You gonna lecture me for being out late again?" Kiiro asked dully, ears flat.
"Haha no, I expect Kage already took care of that." Hiroto chuckled
"Though I do wish you would put more thought into your actions." Aijin piped up.
Aijin Otoko, age 25, older than Hiroto yet almost a head shorter than him, Aijin worked as a doctor specialising in Hozei-Zumi healthcare as well as taking care of Pride Place with Hiroto. Slightly tanned skin, forest green eyes and brown hair with a set of antlers and deer like ears protruding from his head, Aijin was also well toned and had patches of reddish brown fur on his forearms. Kind, caring and often playful but serious when it came to matters of health, if you ever got sick, Aijin would be the one to look after you (though he would probably scold you for not looking after yourself first).
"I just needed some alone time." Kiiro explained for the second time.
"You have a room for that." Aijin pointed out.
"That's not the same and you know it!"
"Alright alright!" Hiroto cut the argument short, holding a hand up to each of them. "I didn't bring you here for an argument."
Both fell silent.
"Thank you." The taller man sat down. "Take a seat Kiiro."
The blond sat cross legged on the floor next to Shiroha and ran his hand through the big cat's fur. Kiiro had been around Shiroha since he was ten years old, that was the only reason he was allowed to be so casual about approaching him, anyone else would have been lucky to keep all five fingers.
"What's this about?" He asked warily.
"Over the next couple of days we'll be taking in new tenants." Hiroto began. "Five to be exact."
"Yeah?" Kiiro said slowly. "What's that got to do with me?" A small smile appeared on his face when a rumbling sound came from the tigers throat.
"Well, we'd like you to help one of them get settled in."
Kiiro froze. "What?!"
"You've been here the longest, you know where everything is, you know the rules." Hiroto rhymed off. "Who better to ask?"
"Literally anyone else." The teen answered through gritted teeth.
"That was rhetorical Kiiro." The yellow eyed man said flatly.
"Hiro, you know I ain't good with people, so why choose me?" The teen protested. "Why not Tanoshi? He'd be great at that sort of thing!"
"Tanoshi has already agreed to take one of the newcomers under his wing." Hono spoke up.
Aijin nodded. "As has Tantei." He added. "That's what we were discussing when you came in."
Kiiro opened his mouth again but Hiroto held up a hand to stop him.
"And before you say it, Dameda will be busy."
The blond closed his mouth again. A slight pout forming.
"I asked him to look into something for me." The light brown haired one told him.
Kiiro merely scowled at him.
Hiroto sighed. "C'mon Kiiro, help me out here."
"Ugh fine!" The teen cried. "But I ain't promisin' that they'll stay afterward!" He stood up and left the room in one swift, fluid movement. However he did pause in the doorway to add, "But it better not be a girl!"
"Of course not."
Hiroto already knew that Kiiro had an issue with girls. It wasn't that the teen was sexist or anything like that, he just had a history of bad experiences with them. His cousins used to tease him by tying ribbons around his tail while he was asleep when he was younger. Once they even managed to get a dress on him and added ribbons to his hair too. So now if possible, Kiiro always avoided interacting with girls. And who could blame him?
When Kiiro had left, Hiroto sighed again. "He certainly suits his Setsuzoku." He murmured.
"What, antisocial and bad tempered?" Aijin suggested, a hint of sarcasm in his voice.
"Well I was thinking independant and graceful actually but yours fit too now that I think about it." His partner replied with a chuckle.
On the second floor landing Kiiro collided with something solid and fell to the floor clutching his nose.
"For crying out loud Johin what're you doing standing around on the stairs?!" He demanded, looking up at the darker haired teen. "I coulda broke my damn neck!"
"Oh, uh sorry Kiiro." Tanoshi apologised awkwardly. "I heard someone coming up so I thought I'd better get outta the way but you got here before I had the chance. Um… Here." he held out a hand to help the blond up.
After a moment of hesitation Kiiro took the hand and the other pulled him to his feet again. "What the hell are you made of anyway? Steel?"
Tanoshi ran a hand through his hair, touseling it around his curved, tan colored horns. "Just the normal stuff I think." He replied. "I'm just strong 'cause of Naga."
Naga was Tanoshi's Setsuzoku, a bull, a Seiken fighting bull to be exact - though nobody actually knew where that was - he was certainly impressive in his full sized form, a little taller than Tanoshi, black, with brown eyes and long curved horns, it was easy to see where the teen got his strength from. Though usually Naga just stayed in his more manageable waist height form unless they were outside.
"Nah I've seen you, you train hard too. Take a little credit would ya." Kiiro insisted.
A blush colored the dark haired teens cheeks. "You noticed huh. Yeah I've been training to get stronger because I don't want a repeat of that day." His small ears flicked a little, a sign that he was nervous.
The day that Tanoshi mentioned occurred about a year after he arrived at Pride Place. Hiroto had asked him to run an errand for him and he had gladly accepted. However, on his way back a group of older teenagers had surrounded him and started tormenting him, waving a red jacket in front of him and throwing things at him, attempting to skewer them on his horns. Luckily, Kiiro had been out on one of his night-time wanders and came to his rescue. Using his agility and powers over shadows and darkness the feline Hozei-Zumi sent the older teens running.
Since that day, Tanoshi had been trying to talk to Kiiro more - not that the blond cooperated very often - asking questions like, 'since you're Setsuzoku is a cat, are you afraid of dogs?' or 'do you like to sleep a lot?' and even 'What would you do if a ball of yarn rolled in front of you? Ooh or one of those laser pointer lights!?'
Suffice to say that Kiiro was not impressed by that last one. He gave the bovine attributed teen a scathing look and said "You even try to test the answer to that question and I promise you'll regret it."
Tanoshi had given the questions a rest after that, but as he walked away he had smiled to himself and thought. 'Well that response kinda answered my question anyway.'
There was a moment of silence while Tanoshi reminisced and Kiiro was about to leave when the other spoke again. "Hey did Hiroto tell you about…"
"The newbies he wants us to babysit? Yeah he did." Kiiro looked less than thrilled at the idea.
"Don't you think it'll be interesting to have more people around?"
"Not really no." Kiiro said flatly. Then, with a flick of his tail, he was gone.
The dark haired teen sighed. "Of course you'd say that." He looked up at the ceiling as he heard footsteps above. "Well, maybe he'll change his mind when he meets them."
Across town a young boy with three fluffy tails was running as fast as he could. His bright blue eyes were full of fear and his pointed pale blue ears lay flat against his pink and blue hair
The boy chanced a glance behind him to see his pursuers - led by a tall teen with black hair streaked with yellow, two long straight horns and narrow purple eyes - had not given up. All of them were older than him and all of them were Hozei-Zumi like him but they had been bullying him before he ran away.
All of a sudden, the pink haired boy tripped and fell, landing sprawled on the ground. A cream colored kitsune placed itself between the fallen teen and the others, bristling its fur and spreading its own tails threateningly.
"Saku." The boy gasped, managing to raise himself into a sitting position.
Saku, or Sakubo in full was the name of the kitsune, the pink haired boys Setsuzoku, he was cream in color with multicoloured markings and tips on his tails, of which he had four.
"Don't worry Tora, I'll protect you." Saku declared, giving the boy a reassuring smile.
"What the hell are you doing Hidoi?!" A voice demanded as two more teens appeared on the scene. Both were male, one had teal hair and teal and white rounded ears and the other had messy orange hair and tan colored ears, also rounded but more sideways facing and angled towards the back of his head.
"Yeah Hokori is one of us, what gives?" The orange haired boy spoke up.
"That one is a freak even for a Hozei-Zumi!" Hidoi, the black haired leader of the group spat. "Have you seen what…"
"Whatever he can do is his own business." The teal haired teen cut him off, a long white tail with blue and teal rosettes swayed angrily behind him. "We deal with enough crap from regular humans, we don't need to start turning on our own."
The two stared each other down for several minutes, purple boring into pink and vice versa, while the orange haired boy turned to Tora and helped him to his feet.
"Nice tails!" The boy grinned, flicking his own small burnt orange colored tail. "I'm Sekitan, the one giving Hidoi hell over there is Satsuei." His amber eyes were bright and his expression soft but cheerful. Tora also noticed that his canines protruded over his lip and halfway down his chin.
"Uh, thanks." Tora blinked, taken aback by the sudden compliment. "It's nice to meet you."
"You too." Sekitan beamed. "You hurt?"
Tora shook his head. "Just a few scrapes really. I've had worse."
"Tch, whatever, c'mon Chishi!" Hidoi huffed, drawing the boys' attention back to the confrontation.
The older teen turned on his heel and stalked back to his gang, followed by a large Oryx that Tora assumed was Chishi. With one last glare aimed at the pink haired teen, Hidoi and his gang left.
Once they were gone, Satsuei walked over to Tora and Sekitan, now accompanied by a white snow leopard with teal and blue rosettes. "Its late. We should be getting home." He said.
Sekitan nodded and moved to the pink eyed teens side. Tora's gaze dropped to the ground.
"You got some place to be or somethin?" Satsuei asked.
"Um… No."
"Then c'mon, i wasn't just talking to this lunkhead y'know."
"Hey who are you calling a lunkhead, Satsu?" Sekitan protested.
"I'm lookin at him." Satsuei replied bluntly before turning and making his way up the street.
"Hey don't you walk away I'm not done with you!" Sekitan chased after him.
Tora couldn't help but laugh at the exchange, the two were obviously close.
"This way cub." Satsuei called over his shoulder.
"Oh, right, coming!" The three tailed teen ran to catch up with his rescuers, then paused, "Hey wait, what did you just call me?!"
Satsuei started running.
"Hey!" Tora cried again, giving chase.