extra information for zodion
#character :: historyinitial.backstory.lies
- Naoto's story starts when she's young, in flash backs that she can't quite remember. What she does remember is her parents (but not their names or their faces) and her running (but not from who or what), only to eventually be confronted by an assassin in the darkness. She doesn't know why, but they are attacked, and the assassin's mysterious sword leaves both Naoto's parents dead (and in pieces) and an x-shaped scar on her chest from the attack. She only survives because of her parents shielding her from the sword's attack, but she is still severely injured and as a result of the trauma loses her memory (of her life before the attack, her parents, and her own name). As she is dying, she is found by a man with a blade the same as the one that killed her parents.
Naoto is taken in by Fuyumine (although she does not ever find out his name until after he is dead) and raised and trained in combat. They share a love-hate relationship, with Naoto believing him to be the killer of her parents and Fuyumine never bothering to confirm nor deny her silent accusation. Fuyumine is also the one who gives Naoto her name, as she cannot remember her real name or the faces of her parents. Due to the trauma of her parents being slaughtered and her near death experience, Naoto suffers from amnesia (specifically, retrograde amnesia), unable to recall any type of past before the incident.
Other than Fuyumine, she also meets Magato, a student of Fuyumine's. Fuyumine and Naoto's relationship remains static over the years until Magato attempts some cute bullshit (see his section of this app for more information), leaving Naoto a chance to see a different side of Fuyumine that changes her opinion of him somewhat. Unfortunately, Naoto comes home one day to find Fuyumine murdered and Magato there taking credit and praising his deed. Enraged, Naoto challenges him and the two battle, with Naoto emerging as the victor. Magato, seriously wounded, leaves Naoto with information concerning the real killer of her parents-another "Naoto" with the same sword as Fuyumine's-and where she can find them-the Underground.
This information takes Naoto on a search that ultimately leads her to meeting with the other main DOGs cast members.
chance.meetings.half-truths&whitelies
- Naoto first crosses paths with Heine and Badou, although it's a brief incident of them passing by one another. Naoto doesn't even acknowledge them, her focus solely on the mission ahead of her. Her destination eventually is meeting with a group of street dealers in the Underground, seeking information. It doesn't take long for Naoto to feel as if she's being cheated as the gang starts to enclose around her during talks. Unintimidated by their advances, Naoto's calm demeanor remains in place. A fight ensues and Naoto emerges victorious. After their defeat, the leader gives her all the information he knows, which isn't much. He does, however, mention a rumor of a young man looking for similar information. With new information in hand, Naoto goes searching for the described "team" (Heine and Badou) and eventually arrives at Bishop's church.
She meets Nill and Bishop, and after a brief talk with Bishop, things are once again thrown into chaos. The Carselino Family attacks the church with the intent to kidnap or otherwise harm Nill. Without hesitation-despite it not being her battle-Naoto rushes to defend both the church and its occupiers. After the battle, Naoto becomes concerned about why they only seemed to have been after Nill. From here on out, Naoto's behaviour towards the girl is particularly kind and soft all the while being fiercely protective of her when necessary (in a similar manner that Heine does). It doesn't take long for Naoto to not only treat her differently than she does others but to treat her as a younger sibling as well. It's not long after this that she meets the team described by the dealer consisting of Badou and Heine.
blade.maiden.truths
- Although Naoto's search brings her to meet Heine & co., things only get rapidly more complicated in her quest for the truth. Believing Heine's connection to the Underground will assist her in finding this other "Naoto", she spends a good deal of time stalking following him around. In the end, her assumptions are at least partially right: she does manage to find the one she's looking for.
Along with that, however, comes no answers and even more questions. After the Underground forces make a raid on the city and more is revealed about Heine's past, Magato Fuyumine makes an appearance. Not having seen him since Fuyumine's death (and wounded, at that), Naoto is shocked and confused by his resurfacing. After a small physical and verbal squabble (including both Heine and Magato both asking if the other is her boyfriend, morons), Magato suggests the two of them relocate to continue their "reunion". Heine tags along and following Magato leads to the three of them (unintentionally) coming face to face with Campnella Frühling (they do take a brief stop at the sight Naoto remembers being attacked at prior, but Magato hurries them along). Magato calls her "Naoto-nee-sama" rather affectionately and Naoto realizes that she is indeed the same person from that fateful day where she was almost killed. Letting her rage get the best of her (something she does not normally do and even Heine makes mental note of it), she confronts Frühling (and... basically gets her ass handed to her).
"You almost killed me back then, taking everything from me... And just as I thought I might be able to keep living without getting back my past, you decide to show up and ruin everything..."
Naoto; DOGS: B&C, Chapter 62, Page 9
While Naoto claims Frühling is the person who "stole everything", she finds out that not much was stolen from her after all. Frühling reveals that all her assumptions of that fateful day are incorrect. As it turns out, Naoto is Frühling's "double" (which I can only assume means she is a clone that was created in case something happened to Frühling. However, what she means by "double" is still currently unclear in the manga and not explicitly stated). The parents that protected Naoto from that blade? Researchers of the Underground turned traitor attempting to escape with a child Naoto and failed. Just as Frühling turns to leave (the entire situation is interrupted by the city's Special Mobile Ground Defense Force), Naoto attempts to follow only to have Magato hold her back:
"Let it go, Naoto. ...While I'm all excited at the prospect of seeing you go all out, the way you are now, you stand no chance against her. Not yet. So save it for another time."
Magato; DOGS: B&C, Chapter 62, Page 18
The incident leaves Naoto shell-shocked, confused and now truly no longer having a sense of who she is. However, when questioned later about her own earlier words by Heine, she is able to answer him in a personality-defining way without despair in her words.
"You said you have them now, didn't you? 'Things to Protect'."
"Indeed... Yes, I do, now."
Heine & Naoto; DOGS: B&C, Chapter 63, Page 20