Mao

## Name

**Mao** (摩緒) is the main character of the eponymous story *MAO*.

## Biography

### History

Born approximately 900 years ago, Mao grew up at an orphanage owned by the Kou Clan which also served as training ground only for children who were tested if they could see spirits. During his training, he became close with an earth user called Daigo who saw him as a younger brother and longed to be called in the temple, which he succeeded by working hard, and a few years later thanks to Daigo who spoke of him to the master was himself called into the temple where he met the master's daughter Sana and her pet cat Haimaru who originally didn't like being touched by anyone other than his owner but surprisingly had a liking to him. He was asked to become the master's attendant, which got the jealousy of a member called Shiranui, and much to his own and the other members' surprise, was soon selected by the master as his successor despite his limited skills.

Shortly after, he found his master murdered in a sanctuary shrine, in which only his master and successor were allowed, and saw a cat demon eating a book of secrets which contains a technique to control people’s lifespans. A massacre followed, and as Mao was on the verge of death, the cat demon who was also wounded told Mao that he can survive by offering his body to him, which meant becoming the cat’s vessel and live within him, but Mao decapitated the cat with his Seventh Star Long Sword, but the cat demon still lived as only his head and flew away. Mao nevertheless woke up alive, for the cat demon’s leftover body fused with him, which made him cursed. His sword as well for having gotten bathed in his blood, became cursed. He then set to find the cat demon to dispel the curse.

## Appearance

Mao appears to be a young man with white and black long hair tied back, red eyes, and a strange mark at the left side of his face right under his left eye.

He wears a blue cape over a white shirt, black pants and a red obi belt where he holds a sword.

## Personality

Throughout his long life, Mao has remained mature, reserved and somewhat aloof. He tends to dwell on his past and what he can't remember, which drives his obsessive search for the Byōki who cursed him.

## Abilities

Mao favors onmyōdō exorcism and healing techniques, and avoids curse techniques. When in his Byōki form, Mao is outside the bounds of the Chinese elemental cycle, allowing him to attack at will without the threat of being exorcised.

## Relationships

### Nanoka Kiba

Mao's potential successor to the byōki curse, which has given them both the same powerful but deadly blood.

### Otoya

Shikigami of Mao's who assists with his onmyouji practice and exorcisms.

### Haimaru

Once Sana's pet cat, Haimaru always seemed to like Mao more than the others at the Kou Clan Manor.

### Hyakka

In the Heian era, Hyakka was an upper classmate of Mao's at the Kou Clan Manor, and one of the five called to the Five-Color Shrine. Despite some initial animosity because he believed Mao killed Sana whom he was fond of, Hyakka often visits Mao and fights alongside.

### Sana

His first love although she was apparently in love with his friend Daigo.

### Kamon

In the Heian era, Kamon was an upper classmate of Mao's at the Kō Clan Manor, and one of the five called to the Five-Color Shrine. He occasionally joins forces with Mao.

### Daigo

Treated Mao like a younger brother and was Sana's lover.

## Trivia

* He has some characteristics that are similar to Takahashi's previous protagonist:
	+ His hair is tied back like Ranma Saotome of *Ranma ½*.
	+ He uses a sword like Inuyasha of *Inuyasha*.
	+ He has red eyes like Rinne Rokudō of *Kyoukai no Rinne*.