A Chipped Heart (RWBY X Nioh 2)

Chapter 1: Hunted

Deep within the lush forests of Anima basking in the fluorescent light of the moon laid strewn about wildlife of all manner be it squirrels, deer, ravens and things of the like. They all called the vast shrubbery of Anima their home, but of course where there is life there is death as within the forests walked the creatures of Grimm. Creatures born from dark that feed on the misfortune of humanity Grimm are a true force of evil. Yet in the middle of this forests invested with Grimm far away from the protection of huntsman and huntresses alike sat a quaint little cottage. Inside this cottage a boy no older than twelve could be spotted zooming around the kitchen broom in hand as his mother adorned in a white dress and pink apron tended to the food. Jumping up onto the family couch the boy held the broom outwards as he pointed at a bird on the window.

"Halt foul Nevermore! Shall you take one more step on this premises I, Ichiro Hotaru will vanquish you." The boy come to be known as Ichiro Hotaru announced as he glared down the bird.

Looking at the boy with a tilted head the bird stared at him for a few seconds before taking off into the air. Indulging in his victory Ichiro struck a heroic pose on the couch broom in hand as yet another creature of grimm was felled by his his hands.

"Hide put the broom down and sit down! Dinners almost ready." The boys mother, Ichika was her name spoke from the kitchen as pots and pans clanged against one another.

"Yes mom." The boy begrudgingly obeyed as he dropped down onto the couch broom however still in hand.

Several minutes went by as Ichiro lazily waved his broom in the air moon white hair concealing his violet eyes. Looking over at his mother Ichiro saw her with a hand on her chin and he already knew with this meant. With a groan Ichiro sat up from the couch and walked over to his mother asking her what was wrong.

"What is it mom?" Ichiro asked groggily.

"Can you head to the back of the house and fetch me a handful of these berries." Ichika generously asked as she showed him a picture of a red berry.

"No problem, leave it to me!" Ichiro joyfully accepted as he gave his mother a thumbs up.

"Your horns dear." Ichika spoke in a more serious tone replacing her previous mellow tone as she leered at her child.

Looking up Ichiro suddenly felt extremely embarrassed as a pair of ethereal antlers emitting a fiery orange glow rested proudly on his forehead. Looking up at his mother he could tell she wasn't amused, far from it in fact. Understanding that his mother's anger was on a very short fuse Ichiro took a deep breath and after gathering his thoughts the antlers atop his head gradually faded before vanishing altogether. Once his antlers disappeared Ichika let out a long winded sigh and got onto her knees as to be on Ichiro's level. As the boy currently had his gaze directed to the floor she raised his head and using her free hand parted his hair as to look into his eyes. 

"Remember, when you leave this house should you feel that you are in danger or something is following you return right away." Ichika instructed as she held a stern look.

"Y-Yes mam." Ichiro muttered as he looked into his mothers eyes.

"Good. Now don't be gone to long your father is almost back home and you know how he gets when he's hungry." Ichika joked as she was back to her cheerful look.

Rolling his eyes Ichiro darted to the back door and offered his mother one more look before stepping outside making sure to close the door behind him. With her son now out the house Ichika nodded to herself as she went back to preparing food. Just outside the Hotaru residence a few feet away from the house was Ichiro's father a Faunus adorned in eastern themed armor. A pair of antlers not to different from Ichiro's sprouting from his helmet. In his gloved hand laid a worn katana some would consider unorthodox. Either way Yuichiro Hotaru found use for the weapon as he was currently heading home after a long time of killing Grimm. While Yuichiro was no certified hunter he killed Grimm effectively all the same. Hoping to go home after a long day of hunting and greet his beautiful wife and enthusiastic son Yuichiro reached for the doorknob but came to a stop as his ear twitched.