Shiki

Shiki (色), first introduced in Samurai Shodown 64, is a character in the Samurai Spirits/Samurai Shodown series. She is a woman created to serve Yuga, the dark lord, and her identity and memories become fragmented after being brainwashed as an adult. Yuga places an enchanted snake tattoo on her back to control her and orders her to find a man suitable to be the vessel for the dark lord's resurrection. She identifies Haohmaru as a suitable candidate, and pursues him to bring him to her master. After Haohmaru defeats Yuga, her soul is freed. During the year Yuga is absent, she loses her memories as Yuga's servant and lives as a normal woman named Kanae. When Yuga resurrects a second time, he sends his new servant, Shadow Asura, to capture Shiki, restore her memories, and reclaim her servitude. However, she and Shadow Asura unexpectedly fall in love. After the two Asuras defeat Yuga, she gives birth to Mikoto. Feeling unworthy of being a mother due to her servitude to Yuga, she leaves her child with Nicotine Caffeine and Haohmaru. Her fate after this is unknown, but it is implied that she died. In Samurai Shodown 64: Warriors Rage, her "Half-Shaded" form (Half-Shaded Shiki/Rasetsu Shiki) represents an alternate possibility where she remains Yuga's servant. This form is more sarcastic and sensual, but she remains her master's loyal puppet. Half-Shaded Shiki's fighting style is based on the original Shiki's Rasetsu/Bust mode, but she fights unarmed and can release energy blades from her hands, and also has some of Yuga’s abilities. Her name "Shiki" (色) in Japanese means "color" but also signifies "sensuality" or "lust." Many of her moves have overt sexual undertones.