Hakkenden x Reader

The Beginning

[Reader's POV]

You are walking down the busy streets of the capital, noticing how everyone seemed to be hanging lanterns or putting up unfamiliar stands for food and games.

"Seems like that time of year again," You mutter to yourself, pulling the hood from your torn cape further over your face. You wore black shorts with multiple handy pockets, complete with a white shirt adorned by a large Imperial Church symbol. While admiring all of the new decorations, you notice with your sensitive sense of sound, that some of the people watching you are whispering rumors amongst themselves.

"Do you see that suspicious person over there?" "Yes, I haven't seen them in town before." "So scary. Do you think they are here to kill someone...else?"

You grit your teeth and walk faster, looking down to avoid eye contact. You notice that the commotion starts to become louder and busier, the deeper you stride into the town.

Covering your ears, you walk faster, when suddenly, you run straight into a solid object, knocking you onto your butt in the gravel. "Ouch!" You cry rubbing your lower side. "Are you alright?" You hear a soft deep voice ask. When you look up, you see a man whom you've never met before but felt extremely familiar.

[Sosuke's POV]

I was walking spaced out thinking about what I should bring back for Shino to eat when I bumped into a hard object. "Ouch!" They cried as they fell in the street's gravel. They were unusual of sorts, or well, this person stood out, trying to hide their face. I reached out a hand toward the person on the ground. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," a tiny voice said, dusting their butt off. The person's body frame seemed simular to Shino's. "I have to get going, see you," the person said, waving their hand as they walked away. Who was that? I swore I caught a glimpse of a Church stigma. Oh well, better find something to bring Shino fast. He'll surely be complaining when I get back. (He brushed off their first meeting smh)

[Reader's POV]

Continuing down the busy streets, you reach into one of your short's side pockets, and pull out a letter from the church. You were ordered to report to Satomi Rio at the Four Houses to assist the eight bead holders in their current mission. The mission is unclear to you now, since Satomi doesn't trust word by letters, but more face to face contact. Satomi Rio and you are childhood friends. "Stupid Rio!" You cry to yourself as you walk down the main path that leads directly to the main house.

You arrive in front of the Main House. Sighing, you push open the heavy oak doors to reveal a warmly lit room, contrasting against the night sky outside.

Walking in, you see Yasafusa* appear in front of you, nodding his head. He seemed to be saying, 'This way, you'll find Rio.' Following the giant Wolf Spirit, you continue your journey through the maze of a mansion until you finally reach Rio's office room. Yasafusa nodded towards you before disappearing once more.

You are about to enter the room when a childish voice stops you. "Who are you? A person from the church?" You look over to see a child, almost the same height as you, even though you are sixteen, you are very short, due to your race of being a half-elf.

You silently stare at the child, looking into his deep eyes. "Pretty," You accidentally let slip out of your mouth. Blushing, you quickly pull your hood farther in front of your face. The child blushed. "W-what did you say? Why aren't you answering?" The child reached over and tugged at your hood, trying to peak at your face.

"Shino." You look over to see Rio standing in the open doorway to his office, looking wide-eyed at the strange scene the child and you make. "R-Rio!" You cry shaking off Shino's hand. "(Y/n), we don't have time to play anymore. We need to get started as soon as possible," Rio said, gently patting your head with a small smile.