WIP

Human Template


Basic Information
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- Name: Imawano Hayato
- Titles: Afro Dragon
- Age: 23
- Gender: male
- Affiliation/Rank: rogue

- Appearance Description: Hayato is a young man of mixed origin. Though both of his parents are Japanese, his grandfather and mother are black. For some strange reason, he takes after his grandfather more than his own dad. As a result, his hair is a bit thicker and kinkier than most. He's let it curl up and grow any kind of way for the past several years, and he is hardly ever seen without an afro pick in his hair. However, he always gets his hair braided before a tournament/ sports event. His eyes are a rare hazel, and his eyebrows are thick, like the rest of his hair. His facial hair never quite grew in at the rate he'd prefer, so he's always made sure to shave- leaving only a thin sliver of a mustache just above his wide, full lips. His ears are misshapen from grappling throughout childhood and high school. He has a wide, square jaw and his nose is broad and flat from being punched many times. Needless to say, he stands out a bit.
By stand out, I meant a lot- at 6 foot 1 inch, weighing somewhere between 200 and 215lbs, his body is lithe and formidable. He's almost always seen wearing the hooded jacket which represents the Imawano family dojo. Beneath this is more than likely a t-shirt with a quotation from some philosopher. Beneath that is always a skin-tight, form-fitting compression shirt. He usually wears black kakis. He's all about comfort, practicality and ease of movement, so you'll rarely see him wear anything flashier than his favorite jacket. His preferred shoe is puma, for light weight and mobility. The compression shirts he wears are actually made of a thick industrial material, woven to replicate spider silk. It doubles as a unique form of resistance training and an absorbent defensive layer. His preferred colors are black, grey and electric blue/green. The design on the back of his jacket is of a snake coiling up a bansai tree, opening its mouth wide to devour the moon. The family crest is embroidered on the moon, and the characters for the dojo's motto are beneath it: "First to strike, last to laugh". Momma Ima was nice enough to do the needle work. Imagine his face when she surprised him with that!


- Appearance Picture: Use your imagination

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Personality

- Personality: Hayato may come off as rugged and rough, but he's actually the shy type. I think 'strong and silent' is a phrase that suits him well. He much prefers the quiet of the library, the serenity of a still lake, or the musk of an empty dojo to the large gatherings he'd experienced at school, or various social events. He tends to keep to himself because he doesn't identify very easily with others. He grew up in a strict household where virtually every dispute was solved through violence. His father taught him the importance of open-mindedness and humility. His grandfather taught him the value of work ethic and resolve. His mother taught him the importance of aesthetics, and how to recognize beauty. As a result of a nurturing family and extensive travel, he's pretty darn mature for his age. While many people in their early twenties are out partying and living it up, he studies and refines his techniques. He loves children, and would die protecting one, or many. He has injuries to prove it.
When around children or people that he's familiar with, a more playful, humorous side emerges. Though it might take a bit of coaxing, once he's got a feel for you personality, he will generally open up. Hayato was never very competitive, as he saw his matches as a learning experience, rather than a contest. As far as he is concerned, if you learn, and live long enough to implement this knowledge, you have won. This distant, introverted personality coupled with his aloof nature make him appear to be your average meat-head... But there are many layers to this onion. Though he's a bit old-fashioned, he's rather terrible with women. He doesn't express his emotions well, and he hates being lied to. (who doesn't?)
Being descended from a mixed ancestry has given him a strange outlook on life. The cultural isolation of the Japanese, coupled with an extreme detachment from his African heritage has given him the feeling that society is a bit of a farce, and many people will go to disgusting lengths to feel superior to the next person. Hayato delights in not being one of these people, and is happy whenever he should meet another person with a similar perspective. His older brother, who does not take after their mother, or grandfather at all, (Just a slight tan... He actually looks Japanese) was always competitive, always trying to prove himself stronger, smarter, so on. Though he loves his brother, Hayato never cared one way or the other. It wasn't his fault he was born black, or taller, or more athletic. He still had to work very hard, and he never despaired once, in defeat. Hayato has had many principles impressed upon him very early in life by his grandfather. 'Grandfather's wisdom has always seen me through.' So he has great reverence for elders. In many ways, he is the black sheep and the prodigal son with good intentions.

» Likes: teaching, children, martial arts, eating, sleeping, reading, meditation, creative writing

» Dislikes: Liars, people that talk to much, arrogance, crowded places, people that strike full force during a spar, people unwilling to face the truth, people that lack resolve

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» Background: Long before their parents had met, their Grandfather LeRay Melrose had been touring around the globe as a member of the U.S. Navy. LeRay grew up in family of musicians, but truly had no talent in his body, no ear, no nothing. When he was enrolled in a judo class, he found his passion, and has been a martial artist ever since. He crashed dojos. He kicked ass and took names. He won hundreds of competitions over the span of his life, and achieved a notoriety that transcended his nationalism. After seeing the world, and competing internationally, he'd retire from the service and settle down with a woman, Kiyuna Yoko, he met in Japan. She was a karate-ka, and it was truly love at first hit. (I have an elaborate flashback view of this story that kinda just keeps rolling as Imagine it... but this is Hayato's history... Not LeRay's... so I will cut it short.)
When Yoko's father died, there were no other children to succeed the family dojo, so she and LeRay settled in that rural town, raising two sons and a daughter out of that very same dojo. Because of the circumstances, the dojo had lost much of its reputation, and many black-belts left, when none of them were chosen to succeed. But a few stayed, and this group was the new family. Their only daughter, also named Yoko, was a strong-willed tom-boy that competed throught the country as a martial artist. Though she formally practiced karate, her father (LeRay) made certain that she had a broad array of styles under her (black) belt. She fell for one of the young men at the gym, Imawano Takeda. They were good friends since child-hood, and they always supported one another. Even though she was ostracized by other girls because of her complexion, and her abrasiveness, he loved and embraced her just the same. They had two boys together.
Imawano Hayato was born November 27, 1989. He had dark skin and curly hair. He looked nothing like his father, who was pure-blooded Japanese. It didn't matter thought, because his father was a good man. Hayato had an older, 4 years older. He was never lonely, and the adolescent years were fun. Hayato's family lived in a rural district with less than 100,000 people. The family lived near his grandfather's dojo, and they went to see him regularly until they were of the age to begin practicing. When Haruto began to practice, things changed between he and his brother. Hayato ate well and grew like a weed. Soon his time came to join the dojo and receive the tutelage of their father and grandfather.
But as they grew older, they grew apart- they both trained and studied in the family dojo their whole lives, but the bond that should have been there was not, for some reason. By 16 years old, Hayato was already a foot taller than his older brother. And while they were both talented in martial arts, Hayato's physique and prowess made him the stronger of the two, though he'd never, ever say it, and he felt no need to prove it. Since they were four years apart, they never attended school at the same time, and their school lives were very different. While Haruto was adored by the girls, and respect by the boys because he competed in various martial arts clubs, Hayato was picked on in middle school for his stature and apathetic nature. He never lost a fight, though, and was a loner up until high school.
In High School, he never joined any of the clubs, or tried to break any of the records his brother had set. He spent his days on rooftops, in the library, or in a tree. While his brother was off to Toudai, competing nationally, Hayato was still beating up delinquents that wanted to make a name for themselves. On day, he was jumped by four students and attacked with bats. He defeated them all, but not without taking several blows. He had the genetics of his grandfather, and other ancestors to thank for his durability. Little did he know, a girl from the library, one that never approached him, yet always watched from afar- she had seen everything. She witnessed him take a blow to the back of the neck and counter with a heel kick to the strikers abdomen, launching him backward. It was all one motion, as if the body reacted on its own, as if the force of the bat was re-directed into the kick. Any normal person would have permanent damage after taking a hit like that!
She watched as he sat down at the foot of his favorite tree just outside the school grounds. His shirt torn and bloody; hair matted and muddy; head tilted to the side; face resting in his hand. He was tired. He had a cell-phone in hand, but failed to dial the number. She saw the whole thing, from beginning to end, and though she meant to call for help, she was glued to her spot as the drama unfolded. It was like something out of a movie. She ran to his side after however many minutes of collecting herself. He had a cut over his eye, and his breathing seemed really shallow. She took the phone from his hand, because she didn't have her own. She re-dialed the last number and he was barely conscious when she finally drummed up the courage to speak to him.
"Imawano-san! I have your phone! Your Grandpa is on the way!"
Things were different from this point on. He was given a wide berth at school. But Utsuha-san would walk with him to and from school. As it turns out, her father trained under his great grandfather, and so the story goes... They became close friends, but her father would never accept him. Grudges can out-live a man, Hayato's father once told him. "And they can destroy an entire clan." Utsuha Maki wanted badly for Hayato to be accepted. If only they knew how nice he actually was, and how gentle he could be! But Hayato was content with solitude. He had grown to like Maki, but they had divergent values. He wasn't very concerned with the politics of school, the various clicks and social hierarchies... All he wanted was to graduate in peace. In the evenings, he began teaching kids classes at his Grandfather's dojo, and started private training sessions with LeRay.
He never quite realized how strong his grandfather was. He'd heard stories, and he'd seen dojo crashers confront him, only to be embarrassed... But Hayato witnessed a strength in his grandfather as he aged that he'd never thought was possible. Every time they would playfully spar, he would attack LeRay with the intent to do damage, only to be thwarted with gentle techniques. For perhaps the first time in his life, he yelled out. "Fight me seriously! I'm going accidentally kill you one day! He woke up in the dojo with a mop and bucket and a note that said, "Clean up. You're about 50 years early to be provoking me." LeRay entered him into a formal tournament soon after. This was his sophomore year. He walked through everyone there. It almost seemed unfair, because of his size advantage, experience and reputation.
He entered tournaments in the open class from that point on, competing against adult men at the age of 17. Of course, he lost plenty, but he learned a great deal, fighting full-contact against grown men. The senseless violence that occurred in school was nowhere near him now. For the first time in his life, he felt like a true martial artist. He had begun to enjoy training again, as he did when his brother was still around. He had made rivalries, and some friends. And though he was still generally disliked at school, he always had one fan supporting him. His senior year, he began giving serious thought to where he'd like to be, what he'd like to do. His grandfather recommended he travel- go see the country! Go see if your brother's as tough as he could be! Most important, go be happy and enjoy life for a bit. Since graduation, Hayato bounced around The main island of Japan. He visited many dojos as an emissary of the Melrose-Kiyuna-Ryu School. Never, did he contact his brother. He studied under various styles. He competed in tournaments.
He has come to Karakura town for reasons I have yet to fully consider in a way that would compel further interest in his character...

Hey I'm still in the process of editing... had to take a break from it to focus on school and family... I will try finishing it this week if not tonight...

All right, moved back to WIP (:

Old WIP