| This article, Kimiko Kōtaku, is property of LordGalvatron. |
| Kimiko Kōtaku | |
| Race | Sōzōshin/Shinigami |
| Birthday | July 13 |
| Age | 30 (Physical) 4000+ (Actual) |
| Gender | Female |
| Height | 161 cm (5'3") |
| Weight | 47 kg (103 lb.) |
| Blood Type | AB+ |
| Professional Status | |
|---|---|
| Affiliation | Royal Guard |
| Previous Affiliation | Gotei 13 |
| Profession | Royal Guardsman |
| Position | Zanpakutō Grandmaster Divine General |
| Previous Position | Captain |
| Previous Division | Thirteenth Division |
| Base of Operations | Reiōkyū |
| Personal Status | |
| Relatives | Mitsuo Maebure† (Grandfather) Hikari Maebure (Father) Ayako Kōtaku† (Mother) Akihiko Maebure† (Half-brother) |
| Zanpakutō | |
| Shikai | Murasakizuishō |
| Bankai | Murasakiseiun |
| First Appearance | |
| Roleplay Debut | Chiaroscuro: Trepidation |
Kimiko Kōtaku (光沢后子, "Shiny Queen") is a Sōzōshin/Shinigami hybrid and the commanding officer of the Royal Guard. Her specialisation is Zanpakutō. She is known as "the Gestalt Queen" (形状后妃, Keijōkōhi).
Appearance[]
Kimiko is a youthful-looking woman of average height with a slender and superbly toned physique. Her face is diamond-shaped and exhibits somewhat sharp and solemn features, with high cheekbones and a small aquline nose. Furthermore, she has medium complexion. Her straight light blond hair is styled in a pixie cut, her eyebrows thin and eyelashes long. The colour of her eyes is emerald.
She wears a regal indigo kimono adorned with lavender flower motifs and a dark pink sash. She has the haori of the Royal Guard draped over it. Additionally, she wears ordinary white tabi and waraji.
Personality[]
Unusually cool and collected, Kōtaku is a rather stern person. Distant and dignified, she is not one to approach others in a friendly manner, an ally or not. That callous attitude may be off-putting at first, though she acts with prominent composure and is actually quite a reasonable person. Deep down, she sincerely cares about her colleagues and duties. However, she habitually conceals that with a harsh or unemotional façade most of the time. More than that, she is a ruthless, uncompromising warrior who exhibits unwavering determination in combat. Kimiko often fights in a state of tranquil fury with precision and conviction that is as methodical as it is merciless. She is not one to spare her enemies and requires a solid reason to do so.
She treats her father, Hikari Maebure, with moderately suppressed hostility and disdain. She does not acknowledge him as her parent and, in fact, currently only Katashi Hamasaki is aware of their blood relationship. Moreover, she displays a great degree of familiarity with Duo Wen Tian and is completely unperturbed by her antics. She treats her colleague with atypical lenience.
Furthermore, Kimiko has a unique relationship with her Zanpakutō spirit, Murasakizuishō, one that resulted in her eventual position in the Royal Guard. Like many others, they possess distinct personalities, yet tend to agree on a fundamental level in the vast majority of cases. Their relationship is not that of family, friends, comrades or lovers, but two halves of as single whole. After millennia of training, meditation and shared experience, as well as the way the two were united in the first place, they formed a bond that permeates their beings to the core. Conflicts, doubts and misunderstandings are a thing of the distant past since a long time they have been profoundly intertwined. In consequence, they act like a single person divided in two, and while they still acknowledge one another as separate, the line is blurred indeed. About the only thing capable of upsetting their relationship was the return and crimes of Hikari Maebure, an issue they strive to solve.
History[]
Kimiko Kōtaku is the illegitimate child of Hikari Maebure and Ayako Kōtaku, a half-Sōzōshin female warrior, born over 4000 years ago. She was raised in secrecy by her mother alone. This continued until Kimiko reached a preteen state of development. At that time her mother was killed when defending her from a bandit raid and the young girl was left alone with only her mother's Zanpakutō to fend for herself.
Eventually, she was discovered and recruited by a member of the Thirteen Divisions roughly 2000 years ago. Already a competent and powerful warrior by that time she was selected for the role of a Zanjutsu instructor in the Shin'ō Academy at some point of her career as a Shinigami. Moreover, she had been the Captain of the Thirteenth Division at the time of Gotei 13's official establishment approximately 1200 years ago. She was promoted to the Royal Guard a couple of centuries later.
Plot[]
Powers and Abilities[]
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Advanced Master Swordsman: Modern Shinigami tend to have a choice. Once admitted into the ranks of the Shin'ō Academy, they might discover and select their specialty amongst the Zankensoki, or pursue a balance or whatever mixture of skills they find the most appropriate. But Kimiko hails from the ancient times, back when everything was much, much different. She did have a choice, but of a different kind: she could either pick up the blade of her late mother and defend herself, or die. She decided to fight, and had been fighting incessantly for over two millennia. With a modicum of theoretical knowledge and training passed on her from her mother but with no other form of tutelage to depend upon, she had to develop a personal fighting style. So she observed the way others fought, she considered and practised manifold kata and waza, strove to put her focus and gradually growing power to the best use. She had encountered many a savage or brute, and as such she always attempted to circumvent their greater strength altogether, exploit the openings and pierce their vital points to grant them what she could not hope for otherwise: swift death. Forged via constant fight for survival, she slowly but surely crafted her own school of swordsmanship, the Way of Precision. Her perseverance and skill had been made popular, her talent recognised, and as a young woman she was recruited by the Thirteen Divisions, a loosely associated group of powerful warbands that shared a common goal: the maintenance of order, whatever the cost. Kimiko was apprehensive at first, but she was offered with the opportunity to gain a new family, a sense of camaraderie and security, and, last but not least, recognition. She had quickly assumed the mantle of one of the Division Commanders. Warriors admired her skill, so she taught some her ways, working to develop and elaborate upon the art of Zanjutsu. And even in such a mundane endeavour the spirit of her Zanpakutō was always beside her, helping her achieve and perform feats proper for the highest type of spiritual swordsmanship. Today, she stands as one of the greatest practitioners of swordsmanship in all of history, in spite of her focus on the spiritual aspect.
Wonders of the Blade (斬驚異, kikyōi): Swordsmanship is merely a mundane foundation of Zanjutsu. What separates proficient Shinigami from mortal swordsmen is their ability to wield the spiritual weapons that are Zanpakutō, with all that entails. They are physical, tangible shards of their very souls and home to preternatural entities that grant equally unusual abilities. Expert Zanjutsu users come to realise the importance of the spiritual aspect of this combat system, while masters train and meditate to obtain power not unlike magic. Shikai and Bankai are by far the most notable and popular examples of such power, where a simple katana receives vastly different forms and incredible might. But there exist other, more obscure advanced techniques. Ones that are closely tied with the metaphysical aspect of Zanpakutō in general, and ones that embody the concept of swordsmanship as well. They are the ultimate achievement of a genuine Zanjutsu master, an indication of immense experience and outstanding talent. Among the Royal Guard Kimiko boasts the position of the Zanpakutō Grandmaster and, as a result, knows real well the secrets of those so-called Wonders of the Blade. In no small part because of her invaluable contribution in their discovery and formulation in the first place.
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Immense Strength: Many Shinigami, swordsmen and especially Hakuda specialists, develop supernatural physical strength on top of their already enhanced capability when compared to Humans. After all, even a devious or well-placed strike will amount to nothing if it consistently fails to overcome the enemy's block or, as is sometimes the case, proves unable to injure one's highly durable body. As a result, it comes as no surprise that a person as elegant and efficient as Kimiko has still trained her lithe body to boast a degree of said physical strength significantly beyond the average for a well-trained Shinigami. Partially because of her Sōzōshin heritage and in no small part owing to her harsh childhood, her toned muscles can exert surprising force with little effort. She is not one to rely overly upon this trait. However, she finds it highly useful. There were many instances where she was able to cut a confrontation short by destroying the opponent's weapon, up to and including many a Shikai with just her sealed blade, but also to offer appropriate resistance whenever she is the one under attack. Formidable Durability: Out of the physical aspects the one most easily increased above the norm, sometimes it does not even require conscious effort from the Shinigami in question. Their toughness stems largely from their spiritual power reinforcing their semi-physical vessel from the inside. Nevertheless, it is entirely possible, and often done so, to deliberately condition the body to achieve greater resistance to damage. While she did not quite appreciate that during her youth, Kimiko had undergone a form of such conditioning at the hands of bandits that constantly threatened her life. She received numerous wounds, some of them severe, yet her naturally tough body persevered and became tougher each time it recovered. Eventually, she became so durable that she was able to withstand ordinary sword strikes and physical blows with nary a scratch or active defence on her part. Moreover, that is just the extent of her own durability, since Murasakizuishō has substantially reinforced her as well. Unnatural Endurance: Stamina is another crucial aspect of Kimiko she has initially trained back when she was just a girl with a sword. And what arduous physical conditioning that was. No respite, no mercy. She could not afford to be lazy or rest for too long. Failure meant death or capture. So she had to endure starvation, constant assaults and exhaustion. Fatigue is a hidden, insidious enemy, one that few, if any warriors may outright ignore in serious battle. An enemy she was struggling with at nearly all times, before, during and after bandit raids and ambushes. Fortunately, the body of a spiritual being adapts gradually to however harsh the conditions. Each brief moment of relaxation meant a small increment to her endurance, in preparation for the inevitable ordeal that was to come, sooner or later. Eventually, Kōtaku realised she no longer had to rest after a battle, or at all for a few days. She could survive with minimal nutrition and continue fighting with little to no signs of fatigue. Out of her physical traits stamina is easily her greatest asset. She may not be exceptionally strong or tough, but with such fortitude and the power of her Zanpakutō she becomes a truly fearsome opponent, one that never yields and always fights until the bitter end - so far, a fate that has befallen exclusively her enemies. High Intellect: Mental acuity and the ability to quickly analyse and solve problems is one of the traits that might be trained to an extent, but people are generally born with certain potential and it is more a matter of realising it or not rather than strictly increasing one's intelligence. Born as the illegitimate daughter of the most infamous genius of the times directly leading up to the emergence of Shinigami, Hikari Maebure, Kimiko inherited a considerable extent of her father's intellect. Where she honed her body and skills during the difficult times of her early life, it was her intellect that allowed her to survive and improve in the first place. She was able to learn immediately from any mistake she committed, as well as those of the ones she overcame. She was quick to note what worked and what did not, consider the reasons for that and possible ways of enhancement. And while she was never material for a genius or a wise sage, many challenging opponents succumbed not as much to her superior power or skill, but the intellect that guided those. Master Strategist & Tactician: There are many ways to shape and put an exceptional intellect to good use. With immense combat experience and little to divert her attention from pertinent topics, Kimiko has become one of Soul Society's greatest generals. She learnt early how to act and react in combat to achieve a swift victory. Having Murasakizuishō and her powers forever at her side, she was also able to project their relationship onto others. Kimiko was the hand, her soldiers - her blades. Just like the tiny particles of her Shikai, each one of them deliberately guided wherever it was needed the most, whenever it was needed to strike. Kōtaku has a penchant for devising plans broad in their scope, planning ahead, concocting schemes within schemes, encouraging or expecting the most logical or likely responses and acting accordingly within an instant. Many of her opponents were quick to feel satisfaction as they eluded or blocked several of her strikes, only to barely have the time to be surprised the moment the final stage of her plan unfolded, taking their lives in its wake. Strong Resolve: Some compare Kimiko to a fine gem. Her ability to persevere is not unlike that of a superb crystal indeed. While it was with her talent she was able to fend off assailants and owing to her intellect that she was so efficient and successful, it was her strong resolve that allowed her to fight at all despite all the odds stacked against her. The greatest power and the most prodigious intellect are of little use when a warrior falters, lets hesitation and doubt hamper their performance and fear enfeeble them. Kimiko's mother wanted her to be strong, so she had no choice but to be strong. The thought to flee never crossed her mind, because she knew she could not run away, to surrender was not an option, for she knew what awaited her in consequence. So, she had to fight. To endure. No matter how many, no matter how strong, she fought to the best of her ability every single time. She did not always win, she did not always escape unscathed, but she continued to survive. Her will was forever reinforcing her, a keystone to her developing prowess. To erode her resolve is all but impossible, and while cracks might appear in its surface while under immense stress, she has never shattered even at the time of greatest trial. Ōken: A metaphysical key that is imparted to all members of the Royal Guard, once given to them by the Soul King it suffuses within their body and becomes a literal part of them. Their blood, flesh, bone, and even hairs are imbued with the properties of the Ōken, and can be used to create clothing granting ordinary Shinigami similar power for a time. Through the Ōken, Kimiko has unrestricted access to the Reiōkyū and can even allow others entry simply by willing it. Tremendous Spiritual Power: Among the many factors that determine the outcome of a battle, spiritual power is definitely one of the most influential. Even a wise, experienced and well-trained Lieutenant will not stand a chance in a fight with a brutish Captain. Spiritual power is by far the reason for the greatest disparity among Shinigami and other spiritual entities. Among them the ancient Sōzōshin, oftentimes compared to angels, boasted some of the greatest potential in recorded history and beyond. And while she is not of pure blood, Kimiko is the last of Sōzōshin and that heritage manifests itself with appropriate force. She was Captain-class as an adolescent, and has grown many times stronger since then. The world-shaking magnitude of the reservoir of spiritual energy at her disposal is easily one of her main assets. Kōtaku is intelligent, resolute and skilled, but at the end of the day, she can always rely on that colossal power to crush all but the most formidable opponents. For it is said that the five members of the Royal Guard possess together power equal to that of the entire Gotei 13. Certainly, they are in a league of their own, and Kimiko stands even above them. After all, she is the Crystal Queen of the Shinigami, an angel, or perhaps demigoddes, untouchable to mere mortal warriors. Whenever her energy becomes visible on exertion, it appears as a faint, glittering aura of mauve tint.
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Murasakizuishō (紫水晶, "Amethyst"): Kimiko's Zanpakutō is currently the oldest and most powerful Projectile-type Zanpakutō in the entire Soul Society. When sealed, the weapon appears as a tachi with an ornate hexagonal tsuba and a pink lavender hilt. Usually, she carries the Zanpakutō sheathed and tucked downward between the folds of her obi.
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Trivia[]
- Kimiko was aware of her younger half-brother, Akihiko Maebure, even though he had never learnt of her existence. The author thinks they would have got along with each other if they had had the chance to meet.
- According to User:Njalm2, her base Price Level is an impressive 109,200.
Appearances[]
Bleach: Duality[]
Bleach: Dark and Light[]
The Chiaroscuro Arc[]
- Chiaroscuro: Trepidation
- Chiaroscuro: Complication
- Chiaroscuro: Aggravation
- Chiaroscuro: Retribution
- Chiaroscuro: Conclusion
The Last Sunset[]
Bleach: Black Flower[]
Bleach: Deicide[]
References[]
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