Kyoko Yamamura
(a.k.a. Shinigami)
Formerly a hitwoman for one of Japan's largest Yakuza clans, Kyoko was raised to be a killing machine from a young age. Though her proficiency with martial arts and weapons was considered to be exemplary, her true talents laid in the sword. Considered by many to be a prodigy, Kyoko would develop her own style of swordplay, a highly lethal style that relied on extremely quick reflexes, acrobatics, speed, and aggression. This style would prove to be highly effective, and soon after being put to work, Kyoko would earn the nickname 'Shinigami' in reference to the sheer number of rival Yakuza that she had slain.
At some point, Kyoko would be diagnosed with a rare disease that would essentially shut down her body and kill her before she reached the age of 30. Deciding to 'put her out of her misery', Kyoko's bosses would order her execution before she became too much of a liability. Hundreds of bodies later, and Kyoko's bosses accepted a deal at swordpoint, releasing her from her obligations to the clan, no strings attached.
Now free to live out her days however she wished, Kyoko would become a free agent, a hitwoman for hire. Along the way, she would come into contact with Akari, who at the time was fresh from her operations in the Middle East. The two would feel a strange connection, and over time, Kyoko would teach Akari her style of swordsmanship, and often times the two would take jobs together, forming a friendship.
While the pair split off to follow their own paths, Kyoko would undergo multiple specialized and experimental treatments to attempt to prolong her life. While it was still unlikely that she'd live to see 30, the various drugs and treatments would keep her from dying as a withered husk in a hospital bed, instead allowing her to essentially 'stay on her feet' per se. However, these treatments would take their own toll, leaving Kyoko feeling more and more fatigued whenever she wasn't on the job.
While she would still occasionally come in contact with Akari, the two still going on the odd mission together, her friend and pupil would notice her fading condition. Akari would offer her a chance to retire, and tried everything in her power to cure her condition, utilizing her newfound resources from the Yamanagi Conglomerate to have something developed. Unfortunately, every avenue would lead to a dead end, either being ineffective or only prolonging the inevitable. Eventually, Kyoko would make her decision...
She would have Akari meet her on the roof of an old, downtown hotel, where the two would engage in one final duel. During their fight, Kyoko would admit to Akari that the only time she truly felt alive was during the heat of combat, and the two would continue to clash in a high speed flurry of steel and blood. Eventually, Akari would land a decisive blow, and Kyoko would collapse. Bleeding heavily, the light fading from her eyes, but with a smile on her face, Kyoko would pass away in Akari's arms.
Akari would check the time and date shortly after. 20 minutes passed midnight. It was Kyoko's birthday. She had been 30 years old for 20 minutes.
At some point, Kyoko would be diagnosed with a rare disease that would essentially shut down her body and kill her before she reached the age of 30. Deciding to 'put her out of her misery', Kyoko's bosses would order her execution before she became too much of a liability. Hundreds of bodies later, and Kyoko's bosses accepted a deal at swordpoint, releasing her from her obligations to the clan, no strings attached.
Now free to live out her days however she wished, Kyoko would become a free agent, a hitwoman for hire. Along the way, she would come into contact with Akari, who at the time was fresh from her operations in the Middle East. The two would feel a strange connection, and over time, Kyoko would teach Akari her style of swordsmanship, and often times the two would take jobs together, forming a friendship.
While the pair split off to follow their own paths, Kyoko would undergo multiple specialized and experimental treatments to attempt to prolong her life. While it was still unlikely that she'd live to see 30, the various drugs and treatments would keep her from dying as a withered husk in a hospital bed, instead allowing her to essentially 'stay on her feet' per se. However, these treatments would take their own toll, leaving Kyoko feeling more and more fatigued whenever she wasn't on the job.
While she would still occasionally come in contact with Akari, the two still going on the odd mission together, her friend and pupil would notice her fading condition. Akari would offer her a chance to retire, and tried everything in her power to cure her condition, utilizing her newfound resources from the Yamanagi Conglomerate to have something developed. Unfortunately, every avenue would lead to a dead end, either being ineffective or only prolonging the inevitable. Eventually, Kyoko would make her decision...
She would have Akari meet her on the roof of an old, downtown hotel, where the two would engage in one final duel. During their fight, Kyoko would admit to Akari that the only time she truly felt alive was during the heat of combat, and the two would continue to clash in a high speed flurry of steel and blood. Eventually, Akari would land a decisive blow, and Kyoko would collapse. Bleeding heavily, the light fading from her eyes, but with a smile on her face, Kyoko would pass away in Akari's arms.
Akari would check the time and date shortly after. 20 minutes passed midnight. It was Kyoko's birthday. She had been 30 years old for 20 minutes.
Physical Description
Special abilities
Known Martial Arts
- Karate
- Muay Thai
- Self-taught swordsmanship style
Apparel & Accessories
Regular Outfit
A tailored black suit, with a white shirt, black necktie, and black leather shoes. Wore a similarly tailored black overcoat in cold weather.
A tailored black suit, with a white shirt, black necktie, and black leather shoes. Wore a similarly tailored black overcoat in cold weather.
Specialized Equipment
Melee
- Sanzu, custom forged katana
- Kevlar woven into jacket lining
Current Status
Deceased
Age
30
Circumstances of Death
Killed in a duel with Akari
Place of Death
Imperial Hotel rooftop, Tokyo
Children
Gender
Female
Eyes
Grey
Hair
Black, short and neatly styled
Height
5' 11"
Weight
162 lbs
