Asami Kusanagi

"Do not think I sympathise. I am only following what is right. And this happens to be right."

- Asami Kusanagi

Appearance


Asami is rather pale from not receiving much sunlight, and has black hair and eyes which contrast starkly against her skin. Her hair is always pulled back into a convenient ponytail but she is reluctant to cut it for nostagic purposes. Her black eyes are narrowed always, whether in thought or disapproval.

Asami's main colour is maroon, but her typical outfit consists of more black, giving her a stealthy look. A wrap-around tunic is held up by a belt with several hand-made smoke grenades on it, and her pants are common but practical training pants. When out on a mission, Asami covers her lower face with her scarf - otherwise, she takes it off, revealing a tattoo on her upper right arm, depicting a dragon's tail.

Personality
Alignment: Lawful Neutral

Social status: Mysterious

Asami is generally known as the quiet, reserved, and somewhat mysterious classmate. Much like a typical ninja figure, she almost never speaks, and when she does, it is quiet and calm, and most often a refusal or verbal barb. In actuality, Asami is merely shy and hates to speak up for fear of failure.

Contrary to popular belief, Asami wants and feels the need to help others, but this feeling is usually surpressed or ignored when it comes to people she doesn't know that well. She also feels no need to self-sacrifice like her partner might, but will nonetheless give up her time to help a teammate study or spar with them.

If ever anyone feels the need to bring up Asami's familial situation, she will more than likely clam up or, depending on the intensity of the attack, lash out. Her "parents" are, in truth, her mentors (All of which are male, interestingly enough, though only because of the rules of her order not allowing females to become Grandmasters) as she grew up in the dojo's orphanage since she was little. She says that she is used to it, but wishes she could have a normal family like everyone else.

Background
Asami was raised in her order's dojo since she can remember, and has trained with the blade for as long as she's known how to read. She was raised to be a remorseless hunter and assassin, obeying every rule and code of conduct set to her by her elders.

Unfortunately, this wouldn't be the case for long.

When Asami was but fourteen, she ran from the stifling life of her home after six or seven failed attempts to do so. For a while, she followed her own path, staying out of trouble and out of mind, only stealing when she had to, and never involving herself with the public for fear of being found. A year later, and it was clear that her escape had been successful. She was found by a member of the White Fang, a sympathetic faunus who took pity on her and helped her to Beacon just a week after. This kind encounter and a few wise words from him changed Asami's outlook on the world forever - the world was cruel, and life was painful, but she shouldn't blame any one person. Instead, it should be a time of change. Asami, regretting her rebellion, vowed to uphold the law when necessary so she wouldn't hurt people, and decided to become a huntress to keep the peace.

Relationships
Asami doesn't  relate very much to her team, mostly of her own accord. She is generally afraid to get close to people for fear of hurting someone.

Xavia Uther: As her partner, Asami sometimes feels she sees too much of Xavia, however, secretly, Asami is jealous of how well Xavia seems to adjust to a social situation. She envies a lot of things about Xavia - her parents, her optimism, her talent. But often any admiration she might have for the other girl is quashed by Xavia's annoying habit of attempting to be friendly. She thinks that by being a little mean now, she can save a lot of hurt in the future, and hates seeing Xavia in a rut.

Qing "Blu" Long Dao: Asami can tolerate Blu's attitude, because they are both quiet, non-obtrusive and are content with letting the other be. On occasion, Asami can find Blu's adherence to authority irritating, especially considering she ran away from her home because of people like him, but she tries to control herself because he never (usually) means any harm to anyone. Often, it is Asami who breaks up fights between Xavia and Blu, feeling equally obliged to both.

Ridl Volsung: Due to Ridl's volatile and unpredictable nature, Asami is very, very cautious of her. While she tries not to stick her nose into anyone's business, she can't help but wonder exactly how much trouble Ridl is getting up to every time she isn't around. Asami sees Ridl as a competent fighter, but not someone she would trust whole-heartedly at all.

Rans Arch: Rans often brings up or asks about Asami's past, and she is greatful Xavia usually steps in or Rans might be dead or mortally wounded. She is always on guard whenever he enters a room, and while she doesn't hate him, she feels very uncomfortable around him.

Cress Bowyer: By extension, Asami is every bit wary around Cress as she is around Rans, if not more so. Cress hasn't done anything against Asami exactly, but Asami swears she recognises her from her year on the streets. Cress  hasn't said anything about it, but is worried that the other girl knows something, and will get someone in trouble.

Hank and Angon: The other members of team RCHA are of no consequence to Asami. She does not care about them and will not willingly fight for or against them unless they do something wrong.

Fighting style
Asami, trained as an agent of the night, is very quick and stealthy, relying on her thin but deadly katana to land decisive blows to incapacitate a target. She always watches her opponents carefully and prefers to study before attacking. Her semblance, anti-gravity, allows her to jump and land higher and softer than most of her opponents, giving her a distinct advantage in an ambush.

Asami is not particularly strong, nor is she the one with the highest endurance - she makes up for this with her versatility. Her katana is light and perfectly balanced, and the tip can also turn into a whip-like chain when she needs longer range. The sheath acts as a blowgun when the sword is unsheathed, and more than likely, she will carry a smoke grenade or two on her belt. This serves to make her a great recon and stealth unit.

Asami's weapon, the Leaf-blade, looks like a normal, exquisitely crafted katana at a glance. However, it can also enter "Chain-mode", wherein the tip detatches, revealing a long, spiked chain inside the blade, which can be used as a weapon and as a grappling hook. The sheath turns into a makeshift blowgun, which she uses to spit darts, poisoned or otherwise, and occasionally her smoke grenades. When sheathed, the katana doesn't look any different to another katana.

Quotes

 * "Kusanagi. Not Asami. Don't call me that." - Asami to Xavia upon first meeting each other.
 * "I will play along. For now." - Whenever a team member suggests something Asami doesn't like.
 * "You think you're the one? The one pure of soul? Nobody's soul is pure, Uther. You can't have a pure soul if souls do not exist." - Asami's views on spirituality.