[attr="class","starrBodyScroll"]

We arm ourselves with the wrongs we've done...

Character’s general TW / CW list:
| Alcoholism | Violence | Death | Death of Family Members | Pregnancy | Child Death | Classism | Obsession | Manipulation | Stalking | Gun Violence | Drug Abuse | Police Brutality | Corruption | Abuse of Power | Car Crashes | Suicide | Murder | PTSD | Trauma | [break][break]


Hotaru was once a kind man. A righteous man who wanted nothing more than to protect those who he loved. A soft-hearted young man who hated to cause pain, who loved to be the reason his friends smiled, who only raised his fists to protect those weaker than himself. [break][break]

A meek child who had to play pretend that he had some modicum of charisma. The only thing that could pull any malicious intent from him was harm befalling his loved ones. Young Haru had been such a sensitive empath that the slightest bit of sadness brought tears to his eyes; and he would do anything to ease the pain of the one it originated from. [break][break]

That, however, is all in the past.[break][break]


What is a protector who can not protect?[break][break]

Every person he once held close either drifted away from his arms; or worse—drifted away as he held them close. As each light faded; so too did a piece of Hotaru’s kind heart—and his will to fight against the world he soon found himself pulled into.[break][break]

“Aizen Haru” is now all but dead. The man known as “Abe Hotaru” is a cold and ruthless killer. He holds a great deal of power in the shadows; while in the light, he wields the power of the law. [break][break]

On his surface, he appears cold and distant—but kind in his actions. He treats the officers below him as his children; fiercely protective of each and every one. As the Chief Inspector (警部, Keibu) of the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department (警視庁, Keishichō) he has made quite a name for himself. He has been involved in a number of high-profile cases; and while he has gotten into trouble with excessive use of force, he is seen predominantly as a hero among the ranks. He is very serious and task-oriented; always the first out the door when backup is required. He appears to be all that one would expect from a commander. A distant man with a heart of gold and warm smile that could melt ice for those few lucky enough to see it. The essence of a protector.[break][break]

In reality, however, he is as corrupt as they come. An utter bastard operating in the shadows as a member of Aijiwau 味わう. While it took well over a decade to break down that kind-hearted father-figure… he did, indeed, break. No, more than that--he shattered. While still an empath; the booze and drugs could only numb so much of the pain he caused. He has adapted to the emotional pain; that rush of gut-wrenching agony; even feeling a euphoric high off of that immense hurt. The man that exists below the act is as sadistic as they come; and masochistic in the same vein. [break][break]

He simply acts on his whims; and lends his skills in lethal combat to the highest bidders. He snuffs out snitches that are intended to be kept protected, he returns dangerous criminals to the streets, he steals drugs and evidence from their collections, and alters information that benefits his clients to have altered. [break][break]

He could not keep his loved ones happy, safe, or alive as a righteous man; and while he lends no weight to their happiness--he has successfully kept them alive as a corrupted man. [break][break]

History

[break][break]

Their home wasn’t an apartment, a house, or a little shack on the outskirts of town; the Aizens, a family of ten, lived rather snuggly in a large camper. The family made a habit of traveling; by the age of 12; Hotaru had seen more of the world than most businessmen, and spoke more languages than the translators that accompanied them. They followed the most prevalent Martial Arts competitive circuits; their collection of wins always seemed to grow--as did their acclaim.[break][break]

His mother, Jiayi, had fought hard to break away from her own family and country. She grew in the shadows of street warfare; and flourished in the light of competition. She was a strong, immaculate woman with passion comparable to a natural disaster. Her domain heavily rested in Wing Chun and Judo.[break][break]

His father, Daiki, a prodigal star who grew in the limelight of competitive martial arts. He began in his father’s footsteps in the practice of Kung-fu. However, the man found his own passion and footing within Aikido. Pressure from his family brought him to Judo, where he met the woman who would shake him to his core. While Jiayi was a violent force of nature; Daiki was a gentle breeze. [break][break]

Daiki fed Jiayi’s flame; caused her passions to burn brighter, while also giving her a solid foundation to rest. The two could have leveled the world beneath their feet; but rather than destroy; their love created life after life. Their children would never wonder what it was like to be loved and cherished; treasured by their parents and nurtured by one-another just the same.[break][break]

Perhaps he was destined to protect and provide. Hotaru the second-eldest of eight children; his arms were always full. He cared for his siblings with his elder brother as though they were a second pair of parents.[break][break]

“Haru-nii! I’m hungry…”[break]
“Hawu-nii, ow…”[break]
“Haru-nii, Hiroto won’t stop hitting me!”[break]
Haru-nii, Haru-nii, Haru-nii.[break][break]

His name was always cooed or cried from someone’s lips. While his eldest filled a stern role; the strong one, the one whose words were harsh but fair, who delivered punishments when needed, the protector… Hotaru was the soft-heart, the one who dried tears, the one who tended to scratches and bumps, and settled arguments with peace and affection. His heightened sense of empathy made it difficult for him to raise his voice; and he sometimes scolded his eldest for his harsh behavior among their young siblings. They stayed in motels; and were rewarded for their patience with fast food and dollar store toys. It was a chaotic childhood, sure… but it was a happy one filled with laughter and love.[break][break]

Hotaru followed closely in his father’s footsteps; the two were so very alike. Both were gentle men whose skills seemed to fall so neatly into a set that would give them the opportunity to preserve a peaceful life with force. He didn’t care for the fighting, the competition, nor did he enjoy the media attention when the prodigal son of the Aizen’s filled his expected role. He lived for praise from his parents; craved their attention and approval, the rush he got each time he won a competition was euphoric. His youngest admired and aspired to fill his shoes; Hiroto confidently proclaimed that he could beat him if he were just a little bigger.[break][break]

It was a relief, every time they returned to the farmlands of Osaka. They always went home when it was time to rest; when the family grew, they took time to settle and focus on caring for Jia and the infant. It was during these periods of rest that he was allowed to really be a child. With the people of Osaka helping to watch over his siblings; he was free to roam and make friends, forge bonds with those who didn’t share his blood. [break][break]

It was actually a bit difficult.[break][break]

Hotaru was somewhat of a genetic anomaly; he towered over his siblings and the other siblings his age. While they were overseas his body became decorated with tattoos that embraced his mother and father’s upbringing; something all-too taboo in Japan. Ink forever associated with the yakuza and gang affiliation. He frightened parents and children alike. The meek young man had no charisma to his name.[break][break]

It wasn’t until meeting Kissa Seiya that he found his true place in that little farming community. A young, fearless boy with a voice far louder than his own--and a fire that burned out of control. Through him he was able to meet young Fumikami Yuki; a frail little thing that immediately stirred his paternal instincts. It’s likely that if he had fallen into a different friend group, Haru would have only ever fought in martial arts competitions… but with the spitfire Seiya at his side; starting a fight at the slightest sign of injustice; the young man found himself constantly running to the other’s aid and making use of his skills to dispatch any threats to his friends. Seiya and Yuki were sometimes targeted by the more abrasive kids of Osaka; Haru became their self-appointed protector. He was determined not to let any harm befall his friends. [break][break]

Once more; his life was filled with chaos rather than the peace he so craved--but it was a elcome chaos. It was fun! He had a beautiful life with wonderful friends. The trio quickly gained a ride-or-die dynamic; and while perhaps the smaller two wouldn’t yet be able to fill that role in their lives--he knew that no matter what happened, they would always be with him.[break][break]

As he traveled, he had his siblings.[break][break]

As he rested, he had his friends.[break][break]

There was boundless love in his life. Endless laughter. It was warm, and it was happy. They had scares; his siblings or Yuki would fall quite ill at times--and he would grow sick with worry. But the spells always passed. Seiya sometimes got into fights that left him injured when Hotaru wasn’t there to bail him out, and Hotaru ached with grief. But he always recovered.[break][break]

It was a happy life.[break][break]

It was.[break][break]

Gods, it was so happy. He was so happy.[break][break]

His family filled; and they had one last trip together. They had gone to America for a time; another competition; more news coverage; more acclaim. The Aizen’s were everywhere. As the attention grew, so too, did the children’s need for privacy. His parents spent time distracting reporters while their eldest boys played parents. [break][break]

Jiayi, Mother, 31.[break]
Daiki, Father, 28.[break]
Yamato, Brother, 13.[break]
Hotaru, 12.[break]
Yuuri, Sister, 8.[break]
Yuuto, Brother, 8.[break]
Hiroto, Brother, 7.[break]
Boqin, Brother, 5.[break]
Meifang, Sister, 1.[break]
Limei, Sister, 1.[break][break]

It was time. They’d had a long and successful run in their short lives. Jia and Dai could see the toll that all of the travel was taking on their children. Hotaru, especially, seemed to want to return to Osaka. He missed his friends, he missed not having to act like an adult while his parents fended off those he saw as vultures. With another child on the way already; the family decided it was time to settle in; to rent a home for themselves in the place their children had grown up.[break][break]

Yamato was less than pleased; he preferred life on the road--but he knew that it simply wasn’t feasible to continue on like that with their family growing. Hotaru nearly burst into tears at the news; he could finally rest. He could be a kid; he could be with his friends and his family. He could be a brother more than a father.[break][break]

It would have been a dream come true if they had made it home.[break][break]

It was a trip like any other; Hotaru cradling the infant twins in each arm as their mother readied to feed them. Yuuri, Yuuto, and Hiroto arguing over some toy; spilling fries over the back seat as Yamato scolded them, trying to get them to settle; the eldest unbuckling himself to remove the object of contention. Boqin cuddled up against Hotaru’s side, trying not to fall asleep; his tiny hands clinging to his elder’s shirt. He was smiling so brightly when lights suddenly lit up the interior of the car.[break][break]

Yamato realized what was happening before anyone else; using himself to shield the brother that he had known the longest; embracing Hotaru tightly as he tried to pull the younger siblings in close. There simply wasn’t enough cover to go around; it all happened so fast.[break][break]

They had barely touched ground in Japan before they were drawing their final breaths. [break][break]

Of all the things that could have taken them; a drunk behind the wheel of a semi-truck. The pileup resulted in a number of fatalities. Among them; six children, and four adults. His parents and Hiroto were gone in an instant. Others passed slowly, waiting for help to arrive. Yamato lived only long enough to beg Hotaru to shield the others; to run his hand through his little brother’s hair one last time. He thought he had managed to save the twins, at least. But only one still drew breath. Boqin’s whimpers didn’t quiet for quite some time; Haru pulling him into his arms, trying to put pressure on his wounds. He passed crying for the brother he could no longer see.[break][break]

Hotaru stayed conscious just long enough for help to arrive; just in time for his baby sister to be pried from his arms and taken to the hospital. But he refused to let go of the lost twin; refused to let go of the five-year old who had just been pleading for his help. He wouldn’t let them take the guardian angel who had drenched his back in crimson. Not until he lost consciousness.[break][break]

What would have been the happiest day of his life became the most tragic. He would never, for the rest of his life forget that scene. The sights, the smells, the sounds of his sibling’s final moments. Not a single night will pass that isn’t drenched in the nightmares of that loss.[break][break]

His baby sister was lost in transit to the hospital; a subsequent accident that caused quite a stir--though they found no body; one of the emergency attendants missing just the same. Though information to the public, including Hotaru, was limited. The missing infant presumed deceased.[break][break]

The young man was alone and heartbroken. Seiya begged his parents to take his friend in; but they simply didn’t have the resources for another child--at least, that was their reasoning. [break][break]

A fickle fortune found him quickly adopted by the Abes, a family heavily involved in Japan’s politics; their reach snaking through various branches of love. He gained two younger siblings; and a family that, at least, on the surface, seemed to love and care for him. Their interest in the boy almost entirely in his combative skill. They saw a great deal of potential in the young man; and saw fit to raise him under their ideals.[break][break]

It wasn’t long before Hotaru realized just how polar opposite his own core beliefs were in comparison to his new family. His parents believed in ruling through fear, power, and force. They ruled from the shadows as members of Aijiwau. They taught him the cruelty within the political systems and the ever-failing legal system.[break][break]

He would hear none of it, though. The young man ran away; spending the better part of his time living with Seiya. He was regularly dragged back home for schooling; his parents never giving up hope that they would sway him. The wealthy family brought him to high-profile events and helped him to network. It was at such a party that he met the son of another prominent politician. A young man by the name of Haku who sent shivers down Hotaru’s spine. A warm smile and soft voice that didn’t match the cold and distant vibe that being near him evoked. [break][break]

He, perhaps, should have run and never looked back. Yes, that surely would have been better for the poor boy still struggling with the loss of his loved ones and isolation from his only real support. But, he didn’t. He grinned and beared it. He learned to wear a fake smile. He learned to play the part of a polite and obedient son of the Abe name. [break][break]

But that icy man followed him wherever he went; he even tracked him down at school--when Hotaru had finally started making friends with people outside of Osaka. The guy was like a looming shadow. He’d entrance anyone Hotaru got close to. It began to feel like he was on a tight leash; being choked by a demon with an angelic face.[break][break]

Haru slowly became close to a far braver young woman; A girl by the name of Hikari. She burned as bright as the sun; the only one who Haku could not seem to sway away from Hotaru. It was a few short years before Hotaru and Hikari began to see each other; something that Haku simply could not abide.[break][break]

A note and an empty bottle was all that remained of her.[break][break]

That was Hotaru’s first taste of evil. That was the first time he felt the heat of murderous rage. The first time he wanted to feel the life drain from another being. He knew better than to believe for a second that his Hikari had taken her own life.[break][break]

The police were of no help. Haku’s family was just as powerful as the Abes, and without any proof; their hands were tied. His parents encouraged him to take things into his own hands; and he did--just, not in the way that they wanted. Hotaru trained to become a police officer; he would do things the right way. He would gather evidence, he would arrest Haku, and he would watch him rot in jail.[break][break]

Things never go the way they’re supposed to, though… Do they?[break][break]

A pattern of love and loss made a home in Hotaru’s heart. His visits back to Osaka lessened--he had to wish farewell to his little Yuki as he went to travel with his family. He had to say farewell to Seiya so that he could focus on his training. [break][break]

For the longest time, he was alone. Every connection he made was severed by Haku. He withdrew entirely, while he desperately tried to collect enough evidence to convict that bastard. It was never enough; something always fell through. In his weakest moments; his parents continued to whisper solutions that he didn’t want to so much as consider. [break][break]

You can only fight for so long.[break][break]

The death of his partner on the force was the last straw. He couldn’t take any more loss. He couldn’t take the feeling of life draining away while he desperately clung to it. One more beloved person fading away in his arms.[break][break]

You know what’s funny?[break][break]

It worked.[break][break]

His parents gave him the tools. They granted him the knowledge and protection he needed.[break][break]

Without a badge.[break][break]

Without a gun.[break][break]

Haku slowly, so very slowly left the world without a trace.[break][break]

They searched for him for a time; his family caused quite an uproar--but, it’s funny. Just as there was never enough left behind to convict Haku; there wasn’t enough left behind of Haku to have so much as a hint to who may have spirited him away.[break][break]

That was the beginning of his unraveling. Aizen Haru began to crumble away; while Abe Hotaru took form. He began by only accepting jobs that involved punishing those who had hurt the innocent. People like Haku who went unpunished. Over the years, however, that line blurred. Who qualified as evil; and who qualified as innocent became less and less clear. He destroyed families and crushed those who could have been reformed. He had to remain intoxicated to deal with the pain that he brought upon others; even those who may have deserved that pain. He became more and more unhinged; simply numbing and silencing his guilt. Finally; his family struck the final cord. “Take the jobs you are given. Accept your payment. Protect only the ones you love, forsake all others. Don’t think about what hurts you.” Perhaps it was the drugs that made him take their words to heart… But they took hold. [break][break]

They took hold of his heart and agony became ecstasy. Pain and pleasure became synonymous.[break][break]

In the light he was righteous, gentle with those who hadn’t earned his violence. In the dark he didn’t discriminate.[break][break]

He protected those he loved.[break][break]

He didn’t need to hide from love anymore; he was far too strong for anyone to dare touch those he became ensnared with. He ensnared a few choice hearts with that warm smile that was little more than a mask that imitated the little piece of his soul that still remained. The adoration he showed wasn’t false; but it was shallow and poisonous; tainted by the monster he had truly become. A radiant young officer by the name of Takahashi Hikaru was one such heart he laid claim to. [break][break]

Though just as any tainted love; they were doomed to crash and burn. It’s hard to hide your true self from someone who follows at your heels like a lovesick puppy.[break][break]

Ultimately; Hotaru drove the young man into an early retirement.[break][break]

He didn’t need to be happy to be safe, right? [break][break]

As Hikaru left his life; simply one more who he would hire men to hire and keep alive… He found a ghost from his past. Kissa Seiya; at the mercy of another gangster’s gun. He saved him, and dragged him to a brand new reluctant ally; Morita Shuichi. The doctor preserved his childhood friend’s life.[break][break]

He learned of the life, the strife that had befallen one of his best friends. Hotaru invited Seiya to live with him in his penthouse apartment… That was three years ago now; the rest is history.[break][break]

He keeps his secrets well-guarded. The only people who know of him are those that are directly involved in his work, and… of course, that little golden-eyed vigilante. [break][break]

Appearance

Height: 191cm || 6’3”[break]
Weight: 90.7kg || 200 lbs of solid muscle[break]
Hair: Natural black; Long and silky, down past his knees. [break]
Eyes: Hazel [break]
Piercings: All piercings have been removed & healed after working with the police for so long.[break]
Tattoos: Hotaru is covered from the neck down in tattoos; Many of them resemble those used to identify Yakuza members. Tattoo references[break]
Scars: The man's body is littered with various scars; most of which acquired while on-duty. From bullet wounds to slashes; his skin tells a story of borrowed time. Many of his scars are obscured and actively covered by particularly heavy tattoos; difficult to make out unless you're looking closely.[break]