Born to the Akiyashi samurai clan in service to the nobles Oshiro, Tatsuya was raised as a normal samurai child, trained in the way of bushido and the art of war. As the oldest child, he was also trained in the ways of managing the clan, and often took charge of the clan affairs when his parents were away or sick.
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He was very close to the Oshiro's only daughter, Ayame, and was appointed as her bodyguard halfway through his second year. While his duties kept him from being close to Ayame publicly, the two were close friends, and later lovers. Despite the social boundaries that prevented them from ever marrying, the two accepted it and remained happy.
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In the spring of his third year, Ayame was betrothed to another young noble named Kimura Yoichi. While Tatsuya accepted the bethroal, knowing he could never marry his love, the samurai still was suspicious of the suitor and his bodyguards. Upon further investigation, he discovered that the "Kimura Yoichi" that had arrived was indeed a fake, who killed the true noble to gain Ayame's wealth for himself. He dutifully went to tell his lady, but was too late, for "Yoichi" killed Ayame to cover up his tracks before disappearing. Unfortunately for Tatsuya, other samurai and warriors were alerted of the death, and found Tatsuya with blood on his paws and mouth, a result of him embracing his fallen love.
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He was branded twice, once with the scar of a murderer, the other of a traitor, before being banished from the clan. He managed to escape death thanks to his father, but if he was seen in Oshiro territory without any news of Ayame's killers, he would be slain without a second thought. So he left the land that was once his home, in search for his the true murderers of his lover.