Kaoru Concepts 1 - Redesign

This is going to sound silly, but the Japanese themes of Bowser's Castle in Super Mario Odyssey inspired me to draw more of my "Japanese Elf" characters. XD
So here is Kaoru Sagisou again, this time redesigned because I'm no longer satisfied with the one I came up with last year. Previous version (on left): 
I no longer liked how obviously inspired his design was by Sansei Muramasa (see this picture for reference of what I mean lol: vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/mg…), nor did I like how he didn't look feminine enough. . . so I decided to change his hair and give it a more "authentic" ancient Japanese look. He now has a Heian lady-inspired haircut and more feminine features.

And yes, this pretty creature is a BOY! He is specifically an 18 y/o male Snow Pekuran. 

I took some artistic liberties on his "dancer mode" hair because the pointed ears just wouldn't work with the usual hairstyles used by kabuki dancers and the like. 

Some updated lore for those interested...

 鷺草 薫 ( Sagisou Kaoru ) - A young male Snow Pekuran who Akito Tachibana (  this story's protag) rescues from a shady kabuki theater. He was a dancer that moonlighted as a male prostitute behind the curtains.  Akito visited the theater he worked at while on his journey with Icihrou ( ). Ichirou wasn't fond of the detour, but Akito insisted that they see at least one show. Kaoru performed as the lead star and immediately enchanted Akito with his beauty. After the stunning performance, Akito went to the back so that he could meet the beautiful youth. It turns out that Kaoru was also just as interested in the swordsman and had been keeping his eyes on him while he danced. Naturally, the two fell into each others' arms and made love. Thereafter, Akito returned to Ichirou and the duo stayed in the village for another two days to prepare for the journey ahead. 

Akito visited Kaoru each night and had sex with him every single time, but after their third heated and intense lovemaking ended, Kaoru begged him to stay longer so that he could tell him something important. 

When Akito he asked Kaoru what it was, the Snow Pekuran replied that he was desperate for a new life and under a contract which was ending soon. If he could only wait a little longer, he would be set free and finally leave the life of being a prostitute behind him, but he didn't want to enter the world outside alone. No, he wanted Akito, whom he considered his "prince" to be there by his side.

"One month more, that is all I ask. One month more," said Kaoru.

Akito couldn't refuse and went back to Ichirou so that he could discuss things out with him. The two samurai argued and scuffled out in the streets over the issue. Ichirou refused to waste any more time in the "backwater town" for the sake of appeasing Akito's "rash decisions." 

"There are many more like him, Akito," Ichirou said. "What will you do, save every single one you meet?"

Those words resonated deep within the young swordsman. Indeed, there were many more like Kaoru, but he could not in good faith leave that boy to fend for himself. He explained to Ichirou that perhaps, once everything was said and done, their kindness to Kaoru would pay off more heavily later on.

Ironically, Akito's judgement was correct. Due to the fact that Ichirou did eventually come to tolerate and even befriend Kaoru, Pekuran scholars credit Kaoru as being the individual that inspired Ichirou to enact laws to protect Snow Pekurans from illegal sex slave trades and prostitution after he became Emperor. Laws under this category are categorized as "Sagisou Laws" in honor of the young man. 

Kaoru is from Joruri for the Radiant Sun. Click here to see more art and learn more: taralen.deviantart.com/gallery…