Chapter Text
-6 years ago-
Sano Manjiro was bored.
He was bored of his boring life in the village. He was bored of the town’s people who looked at him with a mix of pity and annoyance. Pity – because his mother died of illness and his father died in a carriage accident when Mikey was still young; annoyance – because of the stench of ill-repute that followed the Sano family around.
His father had been a traveling salesman. Prior to The Incident , as the villagers called it, the Sano family had great renown. His grandfather was a trainer of soldiers, warriors and knights, as his family had always done. His mother came from a very good family. His father didn’t have the aptitude for fighting, so he took his gift of gab and his overwhelming charm to go sell his wares to neighboring towns and cities.
Unfortunately, he also chose to sow his seed in the neighboring towns and cities.
One day, years after his father’s death, this woman dropped off a small child, claiming that it was his father’s. Mikey’s family took her in because they’re not assholes and, clearly, the woman wanted nothing to do with the little girl. But ever since then, the stench of scandal hung around and people would whisper and point whenever his family went out.
His Grandpa took it in stride, Shin didn’t care either and Mikey loved Emma with all of his heart. But the villagers always treated her coldly and like an outsider – which pissed Mikey off . And when Mikey got pissed off, he started to fight whoever would be treating him or his loved ones like shit.
Which worsened the reputation of the Sano family... But frankly, he didn’t give a fuck anymore!
This whole village could go to hell for all he cares!
10 years old and he was already done with everything.
But Mikey loved his family and he also loved his friends. Who also just happen to be outcasts of the village.
Mikey frowned – maybe he had a type?
Mikey, as usual after starting a fight in the village and getting scolded for it, had found himself wandering the vast forest surrounding the village. The village was lucky enough that even though it was close to major cities, it was never attacked. The reason for that is that the forest apparently had a guardian wolf. Mikey remembered being curled up beside his mother in her sick bed, as she held him close and told him the tales: about how the Wolf protected those living in the forest and the humans in the towns around, but the Wolf remained in the shadows. Therefore, if you spotted the Wolf, it was considered lucky but also you had to be careful to not push your luck.
“You’re going to stop me?! You and what army!”
Mikey frowned sharply, disturbed from his pleasant memory of his mother to the sound of fighting. He crept forward into the forest, following the sounds of a struggle, and came across a small clearing. In it, there were three figures: two asshole boys from his town, punching and kicking a third figure that seemed to be curled up near the ground. Mikey squinted slightly, trying to figure out what the third figure was doing. He soon realized that he was protecting two small bear cubs!
“Just fuck off! Or I’m going to teach you a lesson you won’t forget!” barked the figure, still curled up around the bear cubs.
Mikey frowned – the boy absolutely couldn’t fight like that . Especially not against two big kids.
Without a second thought, Mikey came flying out of the forest, launched himself in the air and kicked high. His ankle caught the throat of one of the guys, making him crash to the ground. The other kid jumped back, completely shocked.
Mikey landed on the ground, proud of himself. Heh, that might have been his highest kick yet.
“Holy fuck, it’s the invincible Mikey?!?” the untouched boy cried out, backing up even more. “Let’s get the fuck out of here!”
The other boy got up from the ground, clutching his throat as he coughed, taking off running as well. Soon enough, they were both out of sight and Mikey turned to look at the boy on the ground.
Now that he got a good look at him, he was shocked! The boy looked around his age but tall! And as he straightened up, Mikey could see that he had claws and wolf ears! The ears had been flat against his head during the altercation but now were standing at attention. On the sides of his head, the fur was shaved to show off a tattoo of a dragon and his hair was dyed blonde. The boy straightened out his fur trimmed jacket and looked at Mikey, visibly annoyed and with his cheek slightly puffed.
Still, Mikey didn’t miss the fact that his tail was happily wagging.
“I could have handled those guys on my own… but thanks. I didn’t want them to get hurt,” the boy explained, gesturing with his hand to the small bear cubs behind him. Mikey couldn’t help but notice the claws on his hands. “Those guys were trying to kill them. I had to make sure they were safe.”
“You’re the Wolf, aren’t you? The Wolf of the forest!” Mikey exclaimed, clearly excited.
Finally! Something not boring in this stupid village!
“Sorta…” the Wolf replied, sheepishly rubbing the back of his neck. “ Not yet, anyways. ”
“Not yet?” asked Mikey.
“No, like, I’m gonna be one,” the Wolf started. “But first I gotta grow up, you know?”
“So you’re too young to be the protector wolf?”
“Yeah,” the boy confirmed. “M’name’s Ken, by the way. But everyone calls me Draken.”
“Kenchin,” Mikey blurted out, with a huge grin as he stuck out his hand. “My name’s Sano Manjiro, but everyone calls me Mikey.”
“Kenchin!? I said my name was Draken!” Draken snapped back, even though he took Mikey’s hand and shook it anyway.
“I prefer Kenchin,” Mikey stated, leaving no room for argument. Which was something Draken clearly understood as he sighed heavily. Even though Draken sounded annoyed at the nickname, his tail was once again wagging.
Maybe there was a reason not to leave this village, after all–