Kuro Tanaka

**Kuro Tanaka** (Tanaka Kuro) is the captain and founding member of Nero Chatte (Kuro Neko-Kai).

## Appearance

Kuro is a young boy of average height. He often displays traditionally feminine characteristics with a noticeably petite frame, fair skin, and an array of curled eyelashes defining lazy blue eyes that appear sharper with blue eyeliner. He has parted layers of wavy tousled black hair, often unkempt or styled into tidied frames of hair by **Rin Tomioka.**

During his childhood, he sported luscious, long black hair, reminiscent of his late sister, **Shioriko Tanaka**, with whom he shared a resemblance. His hair was elegantly styled into long layers, adorned with two large ribbons on either side of his head and thick, even bangs. Before his mother's downfall, he dressed typically for a boy his age, often with unkempt, lazily slicked-back hair.

In adulthood, Kuro dons thick, layered hair that gracefully falls to his shoulders. His voluminous bangs, with strands varying in length, frame his face, cascading just above his eyelashes. His hair is neatly tied up in a sleek ponytail, securely fastened in place by a slender braid.

As a member of Nero Chatte, Kuro opts for a rather casual attire. He often wears a notably oversized black jacket adorned with the gang's emblem—a mouthless cat with sharply angled eyes clumsily embroidered on the back. External to his gang affiliation, Kuro frequently accessorizes himself with cat-themed merchandise, such as cat-shaped earrings and footwear. As mentioned by **Hime Shuuma,** the only reason he doesn't look homeless is due to **Rin Tomioka**'s assistance in styling his outfits.

## Personality

Initially, Kuro is enigmatic; appearing to not only be quiet but weird. However, in closer proximity, his true nature is exposed. He is impassive, somewhat obtuse, and a massive airhead. Kuro is easy to lose himself in aspects that don't bring forth relevance to the topic.

He often keeps comments to a minimum, cutting sentences short and remarks vague, sometimes never fulfilling his argument. However, beneath this demeanour of his, he retains a good sense of tactic. His communication skills are poor, thus the assumed rudeness. Rather than lacking such emotions, he comes to struggle to understand reasonings behind people's actions, especially if the focus is on him. Due to his lack of depiction or exposure within affection, he takes a big liking to those openly loving.

Despite the attempt at operating logically, he fails, especially when cats are in the subject. He exposes a soft-spoken and much loving side of him when cats are the focus. He believes the communication between him and cats is better than that of humans, merely because his poor skills within socialisation have no impact on cats. Because of this, cats tend to adore him, and he's become known to the neighbourhood as the  "stray cat harbourer."

His friendship with animals has become so prominent that most animals within the district will rotate around him, so often that many deem the cats as an accessory to his identity.

Kuro can exhibit trait often applicable to a touch starved child: obtuse comments triggered by momentary jealousy. Alternatively, he has a sweet tooth that dictates his moods generally. While his present disposition might be assumed to be a lack of capability within focus and motivation, he has displayed great interest and value within fighting. He believes unity is caused by the concept of pain, hence the system founded within his gang; to unify those who have experienced such emotional triggers and form a makeshift home. Kuro's sensitivity is noted when questioned on his beliefs—or when belittled.

Another factor to his present character within the community being arrogant and apathetic, despite not emanating hostility, is how he displays facial expression. His expressions are often limited, unmoving, and in a permanent blank stare. Those close to Kuro are able to deduce the emotion he is experiencing at the moment by the 'aura' surrounding him, almost by the nature of how he walks.

Kuro struggles in the replication of emotion through facial expression. Due to years of abuse, enforced to be shaped into the perfect daughter by his ill mother, he was not able to freely share how he felt. However, the time spent outside and within the realm of his gang, Kuro can depict emotions; albeit rarely, a smile or two is shown in moments deemed euphoric enough.

He lacks comprehension in social atmospheres, so often, if a person is to act a specific way outside of the box, he would demand a specific explanation out of curiosity. Aside from this, he is free-spirited and soft-spoken. Kuro's most distinguishing feature is his air-head, aloof-like way of acting. Often forgetting, not paying attention, and hitting into walls in a clumsy manner.

Ultimately, in times of desperation and need, he is able to depict a great sense of maturity and handling. Revealing sides of security and comprehension. This later makes others believe that whilst not an intentional ploy to hinder features of his personality, Kuro often obscures a significant amount of his strong personality, thus appearing the way he is to others.

Kuro often affectionately refers to those he enjoys being around as "cats." He puts emphasis on this connection by gifting them cat food. Additionally, he has naturally adopted feline mannerisms, influenced by spending time with them, during his time of homelessness.

## Backstory

Kuro's upbringing occurred within a middle-class household alongside his parents and older sister, Shioriko, who served as both confidante and mentor. His mother, battling depression, remained distant and enigmatic, frequently disappearing from home for extended periods, leaving Kuro primarily under his sister's care. Meanwhile, his father, though not directly abusive, was often absent due to work, leading to a neglectful environment.

Amidst this, Kuro found stability through his sister's nurturing and selfless nature, instilling in him a moral compass despite his mother's indifference, who at times even denied his existence. This absence of recognition sparked within him a deep desire to be acknowledged and to manifest as a hero worthy of her love.

During one of his mother's prolonged absences, a trio of intruders barged in, presuming the house was empty. Shioriko tried to protect Kuro by hiding him under the bed and negotiated with the assailants, hoping they'd leave after stealing. Yearning for his mother's affection, Kuro believed that displaying maturity and heroism—such as confronting the intruders to protect their belongings—might earn him unconditional love. He confronted them with a kitchen knife, but being smaller and younger, he was easily tackled and thus overpowered. Shioriko, his elder sister, shielded him from further harm, tragically sacrificing her life in the process after suffering from severe blood loss.

At her funeral, Kuro's mother suffered a  breakdown, vehemently exposing that Kuro wasn't biologically related to her but the product of an affair between his father and a coworker. His father, with a history of infidelity and existing children from a prior marriage, had led Yuyuri Tanaka, his mother, to agree to raise Kuro in a desperate attempt to salvage her relationship. However, this decision resulted in her harbouring intense hate towards Kuro.

Unable to cope with the strain, Kuro's father, Wenxiao, divorced Kuro's mother, Yuyuri, and fled to China to reunite with his ex-wife and children.

In the years that followed, Kuro accommodated his mother's erratic behaviour. After her breakdown, she started adorning Kuro in frilly dresses, compelling him to grow his hair out and adopt feminine traits to resemble Shioriko. Overwhelmed by grief and guilt, Kuro endured this abuse, suppressing his anger and personal emotions while continuing to live with her.

Yet, witnessing his mother's near suicide attempt became a turning point for him. Understanding that accommodating her unhealthy mindset only exacerbated it, Kuro decided to leave. Awkwardly cutting his hair and leaving a note behind, he reached out to authorities that could replenish his mother's mental state and left the house. Surviving on the streets, he relied on his knack for evading trouble and his self-taught parkour abilities. Along the way, he befriended a stray cat, Nero, whom he named and made his companion, relying on each other while scavenging for food.

Caught in the act of stealing food, Kuro was offered shelter by an elderly man. Rejecting the offer, Kuro opted to continue his life of solitude, dismissing the idea of "home" as fictional. The persistent man, seemingly in his late forties, continued to extend the offer for a full month. Kuro relented only after witnessing the man's capoeira teachings—a practice initially dismissed as trivial but which piqued Kuro's interest. Agreeing to reside with the man under the condition of learning capoeira, Kuro found a temporary home.

Following a year of rigorous training, Kuro adeptly integrated these newfound skills into his fighting style, significantly enhancing his endurance. His mentor, witnessing Kuro's remarkable progress, revealed a guilt-laden confession: his initial motivation for rescuing Kuro from homelessness stemmed from the resemblance between Kuro and his own deceased son, both in age and personality. Regretting his shortcomings as a father to his late son, he sought a way to seek forgiveness, viewing helping Kuro as his chance at redemption.

After his mentor's passing due to illness, Kuro returned once more to a life of solitude, now within the mentor's home. Living alone with his faithful companion, Nero, Kuro had to become once again used to the empty space.

Kuro personally witnessed individuals forced to leave their homes due to domestic violence, left without means to survive. Before his mentor took him in, Kuro lived a self-destructive existence and would likely have perished without the mentor's intervention. Recognizing the strength found in gangs through their unity—something he had witnessed during years of homelessness—Kuro saw this as a means to establish a sanctuary of sorts. This realization led Kuro to decide to form a gang—not just for association but for unity, aiming to offer unconditional aid to others and, in essence, create a haven for those in need, much like a home he could provide for others.

Choosing 'Nero' as the emblem, he christened the gang 'Nero Chatte,' translating to 'Black Cat.' 'Nero' borrowed from the Italian for 'Black,' while 'Chatte' drew from the French term for 'female cat,' inspired by his own feline companion, Nero. Promptly deciding on the name, Kuro forged his first bond within the gang, welcoming Rin Tomioka, a homeless youth, who, after persistent appeals, agreed to join Kuro's gang. Alas, Kuro's life goal was defined; the aim of creating a family,  uniting those scarred by pain, and striving to prevent senseless violence—referencing the ideals of the heroes Kuro once idolized.

## Skills and Abilities

### Authority

Kuro holds a position of significant importance within the Nero Chatte gang, serving as both its founding member and president. This elevated status grants him a great deal of command and influence over the gang as a whole. The gang's values center around the importance of strong familial bonds and unity among outcasts. As a result, Kuro's leadership inspires unwavering loyalty among the gang's members.

Despite the significant power he wields within the gang, Kuro's authority does not extend beyond the gang's confines. However, his leadership is critical to maintaining the gang's loyalty and sense of family. His founding role and ongoing presidency have solidified his position as a highly respected and influential figure within the gang.

Kuro's role as both the founder and president of the gang has earned him a position of great importance and respect within the gang. His leadership instills deep loyalty and a sense of family among the gang's members, who look to him for guidance and direction. While his authority is limited to the gang, it plays a critical role in maintaining the gang's unity and values.

### Agility

Kuro's fighting strategy is built on a keen awareness of his strengths and limitations. Despite his recognition that he lacks brute force, he has dedicated himself to developing other attributes that can enhance his performance in battle. He understands that relying solely on the basic format of a one-on-one battle through punching would likely lead to his defeat. As a result, he has worked tirelessly to hone other skills that will give him an advantage in combat.

One of Kuro's most impressive attributes is his physical fitness. He has put in countless hours of training, allowing him to move his body with impressive accuracy and great flexibility. This physical prowess is particularly evident in his chosen fighting style, which is heavily influenced by parkour and his use of his legs. His core ability to move nimbly serves as a tremendous asset in fighting, particularly when facing slower opponents. Kuro's mastery of coordination, balance, and speed is unmatched, allowing him to execute acrobatic maneuvers with ease.

Within the realm of parkour, Kuro exhibits remarkable ability, utilizing his agile senses to fling himself off different objects and even at times, people. His training has taught him to use his surroundings to his advantage, allowing him to outmaneuver his opponents and land precise strikes.

### Capoiera

Kuro, having undergone training under his master, has developed a deep understanding and proficiency in the martial art of capoeira. As a result of this extensive training, Kuro possesses a wealth of knowledge about capoeira and is able to skillfully incorporate it into his fights. While Kuro's physical abilities may be considered average, his knowledge of capoeira serves as a valuable asset in influencing his fighting style and providing him with strategic advantages during bouts. Overall, Kuro's mastery of capoeira has enabled him to become a better fighter.

## Weaknesses

### Lack of brute force

Because of his build and fighting approach, Kuro lacks upper body strength and is unable to execute fighting techniques that depend solely on physical power. Consequently, he must devise strategies that can level the playing field, but if faced with a contest that demands sheer strength, he is likely to be unsuccessful. His standard punch is relatively feeble, but his fighting style compensates for this deficiency.

Furthermore, when pitted against opponents who possess towering height and immense physical strength, Kuro may encounter difficulty in achieving triumph and may have to depend on the surroundings to gain an advantage.

### Poor communication skills

Due to his tendency to daydream and his seemingly absent-minded nature, Kuro's social skills may be perceived as deficient. He experiences difficulty in keeping a conversation going and may be viewed as being dense, even though that is not necessarily the case. At times, he struggles to articulate his thoughts effectively.

### Trust

Kuro places a high level of trust in individuals who become members of his gang. Although some might view this as a positive characteristic, it can pose a security risk. Kuro's unwavering trust may serve as a blind spot and could potentially be exploited by others.

### Insecurity

Kuro's constant need for emotional and physical affection may be perceived as bothersome on occasion. Requiring regular demonstrations of approval can irritate some people and may be regarded as a vulnerability.

## Relationships

* ***Yuyuri Tanaka:***

During his childhood, his relationship was often one-sided and estranged. While he still values her as a mother, he understands the toxicity within the history between them both. However, he often sends flowers in anonymity to the clinic she resides within for her mental health.

* ***Wenxiao Zhang:***

During his childhood, Wenxiao often frequented work and other environments in order to avoid conflict at home. Which in consequence, manifested a distant relationship between him and his son, Kuro Tanaka. While he is a dismissive, objectively awful father, Wenxiao has verbally depicted desire to rebuild a bond with Kuro.

* ***Mei Zhang:***

As his stepmother, he hardly has a relationship with her. This is further distanced after her abuse towards his half-siblings comes to light.

* ***Shioriko Tanaka:***

His older sister, while only two years older, took place in raising him and served as a moral compass for him. Even deceased, her impact remains and is pivotal within his action-making skills.

* ***Aku Tanaka:***

His relationship with his older brother is somewhat distant, not knowing of his existence until long after the destruction of his family's integrity. After being introduced to his existence, the both begin to develop a bond.

* ***Kyouka Tanaka:***

His younger sister was raised by Wenxiao Zhang. While fully biologically related, his father had sent Kyouka to live with his ex-wife and children after his wife suffered from depression after her birth. Kuro, similar to how he is with his fellow younger siblings, is overprotective and unconditionally loving.

* ***Lin Zhang:***

His younger half-sister. While not fully related, Kuro cares for her greatly. Similar to Kyouka, he bears unconditional love and an overprotective nature.

* ***Rin Tomioka:***

Rin, Kuro's closest friend and self-proclaimed platonic soulmate, has been by Kuro's side since the birth of their gang. Rin has assumed a caregiving role within their friendship, becoming someone Kuro can depend on without hesitation. Rin possesses an innate understanding of Kuro's emotions, effortlessly deciphering his feelings without hesitation. They both are inseparable and are attached by the hip. His presence is integral, not only in Kuro's life but in the foundation of Nero Chatte.

* ***Hime Shuuma:***

Hime, among Kuro's dearest friends and allies, fulfils the role of medic within Nero Chatte. Despite her dislike within combat, her medical expertise proves invaluable to the gang. Externally, she ranks as the second closest to Kuro within their circle. Though she may come off as reserved, Hime's blunt nature and vulgar language never fails to amuse Kuro. Like Rin, she plays a vital role in maintaining Kuro's stability and serves as a pillar in the gang's foundation.

* ***Nanami Mihara:***

Upon their initial encounter, Kuro felt drawn to her. He found her perplexing and couldn't quite comprehend her actions. Intrigued by her demeanour, speech, and appearance, he gradually became more involved with her. Eventually, he found himself falling in love, a realization that struck when she came to his rescue after a confrontation with Hanma. All he could do was embrace her, pledging someday to marry her. Kuro labelled her as his first and only love.

* ***Rei Ryūnosuke:***

Kuro saw remnants of his former self within Rei, which resulted in an enigmatic bond between the both. He values Rei as a close friend and rival, in some cases. Due to their closeness and dynamic, they often partner within fights and act as a balance towards each other. While stubborn, Kuro greatly takes into consideration her opinion on certain aspects because of his trust within her.

* ***Shin Mihara:***

Following his proposal to Nanami close to the end of the confrontation with Hanma, Kuro sets out to find Shin, Nanami's mentioned brother, hoping to win his approval for their marriage. He gained insight into this tradition from a romance drama where the male lead sought the family's blessing for marriage. When Kuro initially met Shin, the boy fled, viewing him as intrusive. However, Kuro managed to bridge the gap by introducing Shin to a cat cafe, an unfamiliar concept to him. Over time, their bond strengthened, and Kuro gradually became closer to Nanami's brother, to the point that he references Shin as his younger brother.

## Etymology

* "Kuro" (黒) means black.
* ''Tanaka" (田中) means "in the middle of a rice field".
* Kuu is the Finnish word for the Moon. While in Japanese, it means ''sky'' or ''heaven''.

## Trivia

* Kuro's favourite dish is chicken katsu.

* Kuro's favourite drink is semi-skimmed milk.

* He has a great dislike towards cucumbers.

* While he has his own room, he always ends up slipping into Rin's bed in the middle of the night.

* His cat, Nero, inspired the name of his gang.

* After expanding his gang, it gained a new name: Kuro Neko-Kai.

* He contemplated changing his surname to Mihara—but opted not to because he wanted to maintain some form of connection with his mother.

* The base used for Kuro Tanaka is Chifuyu Matsuno.