Akame Ga Kill

Thunder's Beast

Chapter 1


It was long past midnight, and the camp was silent, everyone was asleep soundly without a care of a world. It was peaceful, and for a moment it seemed like nothing was going to disrupt the night.

But in this world, there's no such thing as peace, it only happens in a fantasy story. There's only death and agony.

Almost unnoticed, a flicker of a shadow moved in the corner.

Two figures, both cloaked in shadows, moved soundlessly through the camp, the crunching of the dirt under their boots was almost nonexistence even to the most sensitive ears.

They were assassins of the Imperial Empire. Two of them had been to countless missions, their teamwork were flawless. They would trust their back to the others, and would not hesitate to trust each other with their lives.

Once again, they were in a mission on direct orders from the Empire, to hunt down the leader of the rebel scum from far north of the Empire, former general Najenda herself.

The assassins were silent as they made their way to the middle of the camp, dodging tents undetected and not to alarm the guards. Their breathing was slow and calm, it was clear that they were experienced master of silent killing.

They stopped by the larger tent located by the campfire. the glow from the still burning fire brought light to the cloaked assassins' faces.

The crimson eyed swordswoman placed her hand on the hilt of her katana, pulling it out slightly and allow the deadly blade of Murasame in the cool air. Her stance tense and her legs bend as she peeked from the entrance, she radiated aura of the death god, but well controlled that the killer intent would go neglected.

The boy next to her however, had worn his gloves almost lazily. As his stance seemed lax and uncaring to be left with so many openings, untrained citizens might ignore him as a threat, but to trained killers their instincts would've screamed danger.

Unlike his companion's slender build, he was lean, but he was nothing to laugh at as he had all muscles packed in all right places. At the moment, his eyes were clouded with idle, but the purple gleam in his iris was piercing and had a certain amount of authority in it.

He rolled his shoulders and stiffened a yawn. He almost giggled out loud as a finger poked him in the waist. He looked down to his partner's eyes. The message was clear: be cautious.

He leaned over his fellow assassin's shoulder to peer inside the relatively large tent.

Inside was their target. She was sleeping on a bunker by the far end of the tent, her metallic arm rested on her stomach and the other by her side. She was lying on her back and was in Morpheus's realm. But some part deep in him scolded him not to slack.

He observed the positioning of the tent. There was a large wooden square table in the middle with a layout of the Empire on it. A couple chairs were pushed under the table and none was hindering the path.

A study table was by the side of the tent, a handgun and a combat knife rested on the cold surface. A closet next to the study table also made of wood.

To the assassin's eyes, the general was defenseless, but there was no telling if she was on guard even in sleep. They were taught never underestimate even the most powerless target.

The boy looked at the girl and raised a hand to his left shoulder. The girl nodded and the boy began the countdown.

3…

2…

1…

With a wave of his arm, they crept into the entrance. The girl entered first, her hand clutching the half-drawn Teigu; the boy closely behind walking nonchalantly, but his steps were soft as if walking on air, the tough leather gloves tightened as he clenched his fist.

They went around the table, careful not to make unnecessary noise.

As they neared the eye-patched woman, the air was still, and the woman's steady snoring was the only thing they could heard at the moment.

The boy nodded at the cloaked company, and she slowly pulled the rest of the sword out of its red sheathe.

The deadly aura of the blade was insensible, the blade inched closer to the rebel leader's neck as the boy reach out to clamp her mouth shut.

"…Wait." It was clear and commanding, yet it was only a bit louder than a whisper. The duo assassins stopped in their track, enough for the woman to open her lone eye and gave them a narrow look.

"Akame and Kasuke. Assassins of the rotten Empire, let's talk civilly"

The now identified Kasuke was silent, but Akame was not hesitating, "eliminated."

Her sword moved down to scratch the woman's exposed skin, but it was stopped by a gloved hand.

"…Kasuke?" there was clear confusion in her voice, but no hint of anger.

"Akame," the boy gave the girl a stare, it was a stare of hope and pleading. And Akame nodded and retracted her sword, with light click, the poisonous blade was in its rightful sheathe.

Najenda eyed Kasuke, which he stared right back unflinching. The corner of the woman's mouth twitched and her eyes was clear with amusement.

She gestured to the table, which they obediently walked over and made themselves comfortable; Kasuke on the table and Akame on a chair.

Najenda was silent for a moment, before she spoke, "I assume you know how rotten the Empire is nowadays." The silver headed grabbed a cigarette from the table and brought it to her mouth, which dissolved the tension in the tent.

Kasuke and Akame nodded. After all, they were from the slums, the girl's mother sold her daughters for an insignificant amount of money, which Yasuke was homeless that time and were introduced into slavery. They had been in the deepest part of the Empire for years; they were forged from the very darkness of the core.

It didn't took them long to realize how the corrupted the Capital was after they were send to missions.

The Capital was on the verge to collapse, and no Teigu or Emperor would have to power to same them when the time comes.

Yasuke and Akame had agreed, that the people was evil and corrupted, demons wearing human skin.

Murder, frame, rape, slavery, rob, brutal public execution, and the list goes on. And they long knew that they could not change the Capital from internally.

Najenda turned to retrieve the lighter by her bedside, completely exposing her back to her supposed killers, yet none reacted at the opening.

The General in pajamas placed the lighter near the cigarette, she took a deep relieved breath and the gas came out from her nostrils. "The Prime Minister, Honest, was the cause of how the Capital is now, he was a tyrant, manipulating the child emperor with his silver tongue, obliterating people who defied him, ignoring crimes that literally screams punishment."

She paused, her look in the eyes faraway as if remembering past memories, "The Empire is too far gone. Sometime things can't be change, and when time goes on it would worsen and worsen, there is no god to save the day."

"Sometimes you need to destroy in order to reform a better future."

The harsh truth lingered in the night air. Yasuke was listening attentively, and Akame was staring at her beloved katana rested in her hands.

"Many people are long dead because they sought freedom and justice. And many good people are gone, and devils replaced them."

Najenda glanced at the mechanic arm that had replaced the arm she lost against Esdeath, and clenched it with a resounding clang, "And when all hope is lost, that is when Revolutionary Army comes in. We strive for freedom, for peace, and for justice. We want all this to end, for the bleeding to stop. We will kill that scum and free the Empire from its evil."

She paused once again, this time she looked straight at the duo assassin's eyes, "Did you witness the evil of the empire you protect? The corruptions that make you doubt your loyalty?" Kasuke knew where this was heading. Honestly, he never liked the Empire, and when he knew the evil and secrets of the Capital, the hatred increased ten-fold. The same goes to Akame.

They were never loyal to the Empire, but they kill for the citizens, for their happiness and safety behind the walls.

Seeing both of them nod wordlessly, Najenda allowed a small smile on her face, which surprised the assassins.

"Yasuke, Akame, who do you fight for? The innocents? Or the tyrant?"

The answer was obvious as day. And the assassins was deep in thought. Yasuke pulled the hood covering his face down, raven hair swept with the night breeze. His near purple dark eyes focused on Najenda, "Would you change the Capital? For better?"

"Yes, we would."

"Very well then, I am in." A casual confirmation.

The Ex-general actually sweat dropped at the casual deflect declaration, they didn't really need convincing. She almost missed the second assassin standing up, "Me too."

Was it her, or were all assassins act this weird?

- Thunder's Beast -

Time Skip: The day, midnight

The duration of the mission was five days, and it was only the third day since they left the Capital. They could walk their way back and still be a day early than planned.

They attempted assassination on Najenda yesterday. The general had her way with people. Granted they might not like the Capital, but they were still assassins hired and assigned to kill the person in question.

Najenda with only her silver tone alone was able to persuade them to join the Revolutionary Army, and frankly, they didn't regret the choice.

Sooner or later the Empire's going to collapse, and countries and armies would charge at the moment of weakness. Esdeath might be strong, but she couldn't be everywhere the same time.

They fight for the salvation of the Empire, and the way it was heading right now was exactly the opposite of the ideal city he wanted it to be.

They slipped into the shadows, jumping on rooftops stealthily. Yasuke halted when they saw a relatively large house compared to others.

Living up their title, they jumped down from the twenty foot tall roof, and landed without making any noise but clothes shifting.

It was a manor, not a large one, but it was abandoned and decayed. The grass had grown without boundaries and was more than a feet tall. Cobwebs filled the roof and vines tangled with light posts.

They went around the manor, the gloved teen looked back to see Akame panting slightly out of breath. Just because they were assassins didn't mean they have bottomless stamina.

A certain blood-stain on a section of the brick wall caught Yasuke's attention. It a nasty blood-stain, splattered against the wall and leaving a line of dried blood. The grass was painted crimson.

Without hesitation Akame stepped forward and took Yasuke's place. She eyed a weirdly shaped brick, just slightly out of place. Her gauntleted hand reached over to run her finger over the rough surface. And when she applied force into the triangle shaped rock, a surprisingly barely audible creak was heard.

Creak became creaks, and before long bricks sunk into the wall in a rectangular shape, and a faint outline of a hidden door could be seen.

Akame pushed through the heavy door, and stepped in without a second thought. Yasuke took a final deep breath from the fresh early air, and exhaled thoroughly and followed the red-eyed girl's fading footsteps. He pulled the handle and closed the door softly.

The humming of gears ran as it worked to seal its door. Even under utter darkness, Yasuke was able to find the button on the wall. He flicked the switch, and the room was brightened up from a light bulb hanging on the ceiling.

The secret basement was tightly concealed and cold. It was small, but not too small and uncomfortable.

Stacks on stacks of crates were placed on top of each other, taking over a quarter of the total area of the room. A simple mattress lay clumsily out on the dusty floor, another blanket thrown to the side of the wall.

Slipping out his cloak, he turned to see Akame with a loaf of bread in hand sitting on the mattress munching.

Yasuke sat hung the cloak on the handle of the door and stumbled his way to the mattress. He took a piece of bread from Akame's outstretched hand and muttered a thank you.

It was tasteless, and it was barely enough to replace his lost energy. When he finished the bread, his mouth felt dry and painful.

Ignoring the protest from his aching muscles, he stood up and snatched two bottles of water from an open crate.

He tossed one to his companion, and devoured half of his own bottle. Satisfied, Kasuke sat down heavily by the girl's side, leaning his back on the wall and his head on Akame's shoulder.

He inhaled deeply, taking in Akame's scent, which were a mix of sweat and the strawberry smell in her hair. He closed his eyes in relaxation, his heartbeat calm and his breathing even.

"Yasuke… did we make the right choice?" said boy's eyes opened tiredly and pulled his head up from the shoulder. He gave Akame a reassuring smile, "If you are referring about us joining the rebels, I think we made the right choice." His throbbing throat demanded more water, and Yasuke gulped down another mouthful of fresh water.

"…Do you regret it?" even without looking, he could feel his fellow assassin's eyes trailed on his back, "of leaving the Empire, and betraying our Father?"

"…"

Kasuke closed his eyes, his past memory with the Empire and his fellow assassins surfaced his mind. Sure there were good times, but most of the times were bad. Not to mention almost all their comrades were either dead or scattered around the world.

As for the so-called father…

"Nah, I never liked the old man; far too demanding and grumpy for my liking." Yasuke grunted out, "Even if he did teach us the way of an assassin doesn't mean I favor him for it. Besides, we were forced to be assassins, there's not much choice back then."

Akame listening carefully as she ran her palm over the hilt of her newly received Teigu like her precious.

"This needs to change, one way or another. This Empire is destined fall; like any other empires, it all started when the seed of corruption is planted. People would rebel, and without its people, the empire shall fall. And it's only a matter until other tribes invade."

The statement hung heavy in the chilly air. Their breaths were visible and their cheeks were flushed from the coolness over the night air.

Yasuke might have a winter coat on him, but Akame was in her black sleeveless uniform. The material was thin and tight against her body, allowing maximum flexibility and showing her feminine curves. But nonetheless it was not the best clothes to keep her warm.

The boy crept close to the girl and wrapped an arm around the shivering girl's shoulder, earning a look of confusion. Yasuke ignored the look he was receiving and pressed Akame's smaller figure to his side.

They stayed still for a few moments, and soon enough warmth was shared between the assassins and Akame's shuddering had stilled.

"…What about your sister?" Out of curiosity, Yasuke asked to avoid the awkwardness between them.

"…"

He could tell it was a sore object for the girl. They had been separated for years, and they had only met in rare occasion in the palace hallway. They were not allowed to speak to others, as it was forbidden and would be punished severely. If he recalled correctly, the last time Akame met Kurome was a year ago when their masters met each other by the palace garden. The whole conversation was 'civilized', which was a tremendous improvement given the last time they met they were going at each other's throat.

"…Kurome, I'll talk to her, she'll understand…" it was one of the rare moments when her voice was laced with a hint of emotion.

And they sat, leaning on each other, enjoying each other's company.

Kasuke could feel his eyelid drooping. But they fluttered open when he heard soft snoring coming from his side. He turned his head and looked down at the sleeping face of his friend and comrade.

She was beautiful, it was an undeniable statement. Her cheek was soft and smooth, pale healthy flush made her a lot more appealing; her lips parted and sucking in and breathing out air in a steady rhythm; her red orbs were concealed under her eyelids, a pity.

Yasuke sighed deeply, he might not been taught the beauty of a female's body, but he sure respected it.

He looped his arm under Akame's knees and shoulder, and carried her up with ease in bridal style. Akame shifted and snuggled into his chest, a genuine smile graced her lips.

The Empire's assassin placed his partner down on the mattress, he went and reclaim their cloaks. Placing them aside neatly, he grabbed the casted blanket and wiped his hand over the cover to get rid of the dust.

With difficulty, he exhaustedly lay down next to Akame, pulling the blanket and the cloaks over them. He neared the girl and placed his arm around the female's slim waist, and pressed her back against his chest, keeping both of them warm from the cool night. He sighed into Akame's hair, and let his exhaustion carry him away.

Not a minute later, the assassins were dead asleep after the long day.

- Thunder's Beast -

Time skip: Next morning

Father had expected them to arrive tomorrow, and they had decided to use that as their advantage.

They would sneak in the palace during midnight, when most guards were either snoring or slacking.

The duo were once again hidden by their cloaks, they blended with the shadows and waited for two patrolling guards turn the corner. They sped through the streets and planted their back on the wall, peering into the allyway.

Confirming no one was presented, he signaled Akame to move for the drainage cover.

Akame lifted the metal lid with little difficulty and dropped it on the pavement. Yasuke's brows furrowed in disgust at the awful smell emitted by the sewers, he disregarded the thought and planted his boot on the ladder. Step by step, he descended steadily.

When the filthy water came into view, Yasuke jumped the final bit and landed in a crouch, he clicked his teeth in annoyance when the substance splashed and soaked his pants.

He glanced up for Akame and saw…

"…black."

"What?" Yasuke stepped aside as Akame dropped down.

"…nothing." He stared at the girl's swaying mini-skirt.

Unaware of his bemusement, the Demon Sword wielder strolled past the hand-to-hand combat master and into the sewers.

Yasuke was in autopilot as he followed Akame quietly. From what he was informed before he left with his partner for their mission, General Budo was in the Capital, General Esdeath was battling the northern armies. The Imperial Army was training harshly under command of their respectively squad captains.

The security of the Empire was as loose as it could be. As long as they try not to draw attention, stay low, and they should be fine.

The assassins knew their objectives; they would sneak into the Empire unnoticed, Akame would go convince her sister while Yasuke had a different mission.

Flashback

"Yasuke…" mentioned boy's hand froze as he turned to confront the former general.

"Yeah?"

"I know this is a lot to ask for, but when you escape the Capital, do you mind retrieving Imperial Arms together with you?"

"Hmm?" his bored gaze met her purple orbs.

"We, the Revolutionary Army have six Teigus in our storage. And despite the number it's not enough to fight the army. From what I knew when I was still a general, there's more than fifteen Teigus in their arsenal. If you could successfully retrieve Teigus from the Kingdom, not only it would strengthen our force, but will weaken the Empire as well."

Yasuke placed his gloved hand on his chin as his expression settled into deep thought. Seconds ticked and Najenda waited patiently, so did Akame from outside the tent.

Finally a sigh, for a moment Najenda had a bitter smile on her face. Of course no one would be willing to go on this near suicide mission, it was guarded by dozens of Captain-class guards. Even if it's—

"Okay."

Her train of thoughts froze in track. Najenda thought she misheard something, she looked up at the raven-haired teen and picked her ear, "Sorry, I must be hearing things. Can you repeat that?"

The assassin shrugged and leaned close to the general's ear, "I. Said. Okay."

"…Okay?"

"Okay." He confirmed.

Before Najenda could open her mouth, Yasuke turned and stepped out the tent, leaving a stunned woman behind."

Flashback End

That was his mission, he enters one of the most well-guarded rooms filled with elites, not to mention that the throne room was only ten steps away. Regardless, how hard could that be?

Yasuke ran through the wide hallway in a blur, he did his best to hide undetected as guards went by.

He neared the throne room, turning a corner, he came face to face with a bulky Imperial guard.

"Hey! Where do you think you're—" He never finished the sentence. Yasuke jumped, and brought down his clenched fist down on the guard's skull in an aerial strike. Two dull thud and the guard dropped to the floor.

He never stop sprinting, though he did glance back and saw no one was alarmed by the startled shout.

It seemed like he was moving in slow motion, the corner of his eyesight sharpened and he could make out every detailed patterns on the red carpet. It had been long since he had felt adrenaline rushing through his vines. And he got to admit, as much as it was tiresome, it was refreshing.

The teen halted abruptly as he heard soft chattering right down the corner. He was near the room, as well as the throne room. This hallway was where even the most skilled and deadly assassin fall victim against the Empire's royal guardian.

The only chance was the advantage to take them on with surprise. It would be the best if he could knock them all out in one go, he wanted to avoid unnecessary fights. But most of his attacks required close distance to hit, even if he was fast and agile, the guard's keen eyes were able to keep up with him.

Well, he could try that technique, but if it failed, not only would he be injured, he would also burn a lot of energy. Not to mention the backfire would alert all the guards and generals in the palace, and literally blows a whole in the wall.

He shrugged internally, well, hopefully nothing goes wrong.

- Thunder's Beast-

Hayato was a proud Royal Guardian of the throne room. Just three months ago he was promoted to Captain of his team and just barely a month ago he proposed to his girlfriend. Oh, she was the most beautiful woman in the world, the first time he met the brunette he was buying groceries for his mother.

That particular time, he had a gut feeling that something big was going to happen, and he followed his intuition and walked into a plain looking grocery store. And there she was, despite she was wearing an apron, her smile was able to melt his heart.

It took him and lot of time and pursuing to finally be friends with her. While she might only consider him a close friend, she was the world to him.

It was another two painful years until they finally became couples. His mother had told him that he should not waste that much of a time chasing girl's butts, but he insisted it was not a waste of time. The resolve on his face stunned his mother, and since then she never objected again.

It took him a lot of courage to finally got to his knee and spoke the three words.

Even if it took place at the street, his girlfriend covered her mouth with her hands and squeaked yes and yes over and over again. While people around didn't cheer, they certainly gave him smiles and waves.

Ah… good times, he also reme—

PZZZZT!

Paralyzing pain shot up his body. His body spasmed uncontrollably as his legs lost its strength. Like a puppet with its string, he fell to the floor.

It wasn't that painful, like when you was slashed by a sword or burned by fire, it was like a sudden sharp pain and his nerves lost their senses.

PZZZT! The repercussions of the attack buzzed in the ozone filled air.

Hayato's eye twitched, his conscious fading in and out several times. In his blurred obscured sight, he could make out a hooded figure approaching.

A blur and a boot on his face, Hayato was knocked out cold.

-Thunder's Beast-

Yasuke frowned as a small pool of blood accumulated from the man's nose he just kicked.

He frowned, he was sure didn't kick that hard, and yet the nose was bending at an awkward angle… oh, he forgot was wearing steel toed shoes.

He shrugged, at least he wasn't dead.

The technique he just used was careful manipulation of electricity. His Teigu, Electroducer, was a pair of gloves with lame name capable of manipulating existing electricity. Its flaw was fatal, it could not generate electricity; he could direct lightning, pull electric from cables, but he could generate electricity from nothing, something that only General Budo's Teigu could accomplish.

Nonetheless, it was a handy Teigu. The attack he performed was pulling electricity from cables and direct them through the floor and electrocuted the guards from their steeled boots.

The numerous times he had tried this technique he had either blew up the power supply, unable to control the concentrated stream of lightning, or ended up directing the electric to himself and got himself in the hospital.

Out of the hundred times he had performed the technique, only two times had been counted as a success.

Yasuke stepped over the smoldering bodies and unceremoniously kicked open the double door.

Stepping inside the room, his jaw dropped slightly at the Teigus presented in the room in all their glory.

Perhaps he was exaggerating, but he need to cover his eyes from the reflected lights.

"Oh. My. God." He muttered in awe.

Every Teigu, from the size of a pendant to the size of a cart. From sparkling armors to royal long swords. Weapons, tools, shields, cup, shoes, shirt, there's unquestionably the most remarkable scene he had ever seen.

He for a moment forgot his purpose of breaking in this place, it was for sure something important...Oh! Retrieving Imperial Arms, yeah.

Slipping his traveling backpack off, he stepped over the fence and grabbed all the smaller Teigus. Dismissing all the uncool looking weapons and selected the wicked-looking ones.

Soon, the fabric of the leather was on the verge of tearing. He sighed and slipped a pair of gauntlets in his traveling bag. But a glint in the corner of his eye caught his attention.

"…Well, that's cool." He picked up pair of gloves similar to his own, but had metal pieces attached here and there, causing more harm than simple blunt impact. He fingered the material and admired the design.

It was mostly black, with few lines of purple and grew adorning the gloves. The sharp metal were attached to every knuckles. It was made of hardened leather, and would crack the scissor rather than cutting it.

Grinning, he stuffed the Imperial Arm into his pocket.

Perhaps I can try my luck with this one…

Most of the Teigus had been taken, only to large ones were left here. He looked around the suddenly dimmer room, and drew out a pleasant smile.

But it too dropped when he heard clashing of blades. With increasing fear he went up the window and he blanched.

Just down the yard, was Akame and their deceased friend Natala dancing in a deadly storm of steel.

Natala was dead, and only one specific Teigu was able to bring back the dead for battle. Indeed, as Yasuke moved from his position a bit, he could see Kurome's fuming figure.

She was angry, angry enough to summon Natala to fight her own sister.

Behind the sealed glass, he could heard faint screams from Kurome. Yasuke carefully pushed open the window, and eavesdropped.

"—ate you! I hate you! I hate you! We are supposed to be together forever and you now decide to go to that scum shithole! You betrayed me! I'll never forgive you!"

It sounded like a child whining when he got his candy stolen from him. But the words cut Akame deeper than a sword. She flinched as her usually emotionless eyes glistered.

Yasuke was silent, but wordlessly he placed his foot on the window sill and looked down. Taking a deep breath, he jumped.

He had concealed his presence, making him one with his surroundings. The weightlessness made him grin. The whistling in his ears faded as he focused at his prey.

Natala, being the more skillful one of the two, was able to sense danger upon his master. Ignoring Akame's slash on his waist, he turned to leap towards Kurome.

"Natala? What—"

When Yasuke was in arm breadth, swung his arm and landed a precise karate chop on Kurome's neck.

She shrieked, and fell face first, right into Natala's waiting arms.

Without his master's control on the Teigu, Natala's link with Yatsufusa disconnected and his form slowly crumbled into dust and ash. The process sped up and a second later only Kurome could be seen limp on the dirt floor.

Checking that his pack was still intact, he jogged over to the motionless Akame in concern.

"Oi, Akame, are you alright." No reply.

Her face was shadowed by her bangs, her shoulders were shivering.

Hesitating, Yasuke placed his arm around her shoulder pulled the girl once again in an embrace.

"…" He didn't spark a conversation, instead he pat Akame on her head while rubbing his gloved hand on her back. Half of his mind was on guard as he watched out for any approaching danger.

The trembling on her petite body stilled. He could feel the steady rise of her chest as she took a deep breath.

They broke contact, and for the first time, Akame smiled. A true smile that reached her eyes.

"Thank you, Yasuke." Said boy felt his heart skip a beat and huffed in exasperation, but nevertheless had a smile on his face.

"Whatever, let's go before everyone's on our tail." He grumbled. Together, they jumped on branches with great acrobatics skills and landed on a rooftop. The duo free ran from roof to roof, agile far beyond normal citizens.

On their way, Yasuke asked, "Are you hurt?"

"Negative, Natala is skilled, but it was not a problem."

"I see, that's good." The assassin leaped over a gap, and landed flawlessly and resumed running, "I assume your sister is not coming?"

It was silent for moments. "Kurome… she is not coming." Yasuke waited, but sensed his partner was in no mood to continue that conversation, and dropped the topic.

They approached the Capital wall. In perfect sync, they landed in an alleyway, and walked back out the streets with casually.

Their hoods were up, and the guards didn't question when they saw Yasuke's traveling pack, they assumed they were travelers.

Yasuke and Akame paced on the dirt road, and when they were out of sight, they broke into a sprint into the forest. Just as a horn was sound in the Capital behind them, alerting guards that much of their Imperial Arms were stolen.

-Thunder's Beast-

Time skip: 3 hours later

The former assassins of the Empire was walking to their meeting point with Najenda. They were given a map and a cross was written in a secluded section of the forest, where Danger Beasts were more populated than normal.

Yasuke was starting to feel soreness creeping his shoulders. The bag was heavy, he bet it at least weighted 20 kilograms.

He sighed in irritation and rolled his shoulder, the bag gave out clanks as Teigus were shuffled.

Akame had grew exceptionally quite. She followed Yasuke's lead without a question. As much as Akame was an assassin, she was also a girl at the same time. When they were in assassin training, all she had was her sister and vice versa. But when her only family had gone and left her, it would be inhuman to not be hurt.

Yasuke directed his mind back to the map in his hands, "A couple more miles, and we will be there." No response. The boy sighed. The silence continued.

Not that he mind, silence was peaceful, after all.

His body was in autopilot as his head went all flying around places, from memories of his parents to his first mission, from that particular time when he pissed off Father to the first time he was partnered up with the weird glutton girl.

It was a nice way to waste time. Indeed, what he thought of five minutes were an hour in reality.

All of a sudden, he felt resistance in his left foot. Moving along with his momentum, he lost balance and fell face first on a root of a tree.

Smack!

"…shit!" he pushed himself up, seeing Akame not even bothering helping him up, he cursed under his breath as he rubbed the reddening spot on his forehead.

Dusting dust and dirt of his cloak, he read from the map in his other hand, "we are…" he observed his surrounding trees, "…here."

They stepped out of the woods into a wide clearing. Najenda was smoking another cigarette while leaning on an Air Marta. She was idly staring at the blue sky. Her arms crossed under her feminine assets.

The moment the assassins made their presences sensible, the violet eyed general tilted her head to the new arrivals.

She pushed off the Danger Beast and walked forward to meet them, "Did you succeed?" In response, Yasuke swung his bag off and tossed it to the general.

Despite the weight, Najenda caught it with ease and her grin widened to a point her face almost tear from twisting.

Pulling the knot that held the bag, she peered inside the Teigu filled traveling bag. She cackled, and soon grew into a full-blown laughter. Yasuke grimaced, Akame kept her expression neutral.

Tightening the ropes around the bag, "Alright! Great job on your first mission, Yasuke." She gestured to the Air Marta, "hop on, we're heading to the HQ."

Yasuke shrugged, if he was lucky, he could catch a few hours' sleep on the trip.

He took his first step, second.

But when his third step made contact with the dirt…

ROOOAAR!

A large howl tore through the sky. It was louder than a clap of thunder. The very earth beneath his feet shook as he could hear trees pushed over and snapped as the unknown made its way to reach them.

Yasuke looked down to see his feet shivering. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead and slide down his chin. His breathing quickened and heavy.

The other were in no better condition. Akame was trying her best to stand strong, but he could see clear hint of fear in her red eyes. Najenda was gritting her teeth, her mechanic hand clenched into a fist as her gaze rested on the approaching creature.

In their very eyes, a silhouette formed and the final tree collapsed when the creature slammed its claws on it.

A humanoid wolf.

A humanoid wolf with blue sparks of electricity igniting around its body.

A fucking lightning wolverine of death.

"We are sooooo screwed…" he didn't realize his voice could be this hoarse. It was barely audible, but in this dead silence he might have as well yelled.

The wolverine had darkish grey hide. Its maw drip of drool as its golden silted eyes ran its prey over. It snarled, its sharp fangs gleaming under the sunlight, giving it a murderous image.

It tilted its snout skywards, and a roar pierced the clouds.

Yasuke was thrown off balance, but he regained his senses. He glanced at Akame and Najenda. The wolverine was approaching; it would take time for them to get on the Air Marta and set off to the air. But with the Wolverine almost fifteen feet tall, they'll barely lift off the ground smacked into meatshit by its massive paws..

And he made the decision.

"Najenda, take Akame go, I shall stall this beast." Yasuke flexed his fingers, slowly feeling the numbness fading away.

"What? No! You'll die!" Akame widened her eyes, not wanting to lose yet another friend. Najenda stared at Yasuke intently, and Yasuke shot her a look. She nodded.

"Very well, Yasuke. I only have one order. Don't die." Without a warning, she backhanded Akame in the back of the neck in the spot. The girl was far too distracted to notice the on-coming attack, she fell into Najenda's embrace.

Shooting the teen a final look, she raced to the Air Marta without wasting any more time.

The Danger Beast was motionless, either it was a creature with mercy, or it was enjoying watching Yasuke's useless struggles.

A swoosh of air notified the battle-prepared teen that his companions had left safely.

He sighed in relief; at least he was going down protecting his friend.

Shaking his head, his once lazy eyes were brightened, his now sharp purple eyes gave out sparks as he glared mockingly at the growling wolf.

The air around his body shimmered under pressure, he smirked at his death god.

"Now that all we are undisturbed, big boy, shall we?"

The beast roared.

-Thunder's Beast-

Explosion after explosion rocked the forest. The once evergreen woods were now a wasteland.

"Whoa!" Yasuke jumped, straining his legs to the fullest as he dodged to the side, barely missing the overhead strike. Clouds of dust obscured his vision, but his instincts were sharper than ever.

Crackling of lightning alarmed him that the beast was once against charging up another devastating technique.

He fisted his palm and placed them on the ground. Not a second later, the ground crackled with over-charged electricity and obliterating everything twenty five meter radius.

The blue lightning was absorbed by his gloves for the seventh time. But apparently even Imperial Arms had their limits. With a startled crack, Yasuke look down the gem intact on his gloves, web like lines spread and the glowing blue jewels exploding in a shower of blinding light.

"Gahh—!" a yell tore through his throat. The super-charged electricity explosion rocketed him away from the clearing into the woods. The speed was terrifying as his back impacted a few trees and they snapped like twigs.

His spine groaned as he final slammed into a border. His organs buckled and shifted their original positions from the immense pressure. Blood filled his mouth.

Spatting in agony, he climbed out of the carved rock. His eyes landed on the slowly approaching nightmare. He would not fall here, not before a twelve hour sleep. He was too stubborn to just lay down and die.

Spatting the blood on the side, staining the earth sickly red, he stood up with resolve and defiant.

Even if without his Teigu, he was not going down without a fight.

He clenched his fist by his side, his fingers froze at the cool metal brushing against his cut palm.

Reaching down into his pocket, he found leather inside his grasp. Grinning slightly, he pulled it out and a certain Teigu he stole from the Empire came into light.

Yasuke gulped as he equipped the gloves.

I guess it's now or never. He thought wryly. All dread from his face was removed when the gloves crackled and hummed.

He smirked, a lightning elemental Teigu, what were the chances?

The wolverine's eyes widened as pale blue lightning burst out of the gloves, before narrowing with murderous intent flooding the forest.

Yasuke shivered, but not with fear, but the over-loading power rushing his veins. Electric current ran through his skin and gave out sparks from time to time.

He felt as if time itself had slowed, everything was moving in slow motion, every detail, every fragment, every dust could be seen clearly.

He snapped out of his world when the beast roared. It was outraged, its eyes were literally glowed as its lingered on his figure.

No, it wasn't looking at him.

It was glaring at Yasuke's gloves.

Blinded with rage, it charged, debris hailed as it they were crushed by its clawed feet. It was fast before, but it was even faster now.

Even with his newly acquired power, he barely leaned back enough to evade its claws. It impacted the ground and send dust flying.

Yasuke back flipped, flinging a few knives at the advancing wolf to delay it even the a little. They failed to pierce its hide and clattered uselessly on the floor. But it did anger the wolf further.

The glove Teigu was able to generate lightning, something even his old ones failed to do so. The lightning was far intense than any electric he had laid eyes on.

The Wolverine lunged, its fang bared and claws ready to rip the boy's gut out in a strike.

Yasuke leaned down, dodging the thrust to his face, and rolled between its feet and stopping short behind the wolf.

He spun, using the momentum and landed a heavy lightning coated fist on the beast's hind legs. The enraged monster snarled as it lost its balance, dropping on a knee.

And he saw it, the fur behind its left ankle was torn off and revealed reddish brown muscles. He stared at his gloves, and the ankle, and the gloves. He almost missed the wide opening he had given to himself.

Yasuke jumped, his fists a blur as he planted ten lethal lightning-enforced punch at the beast's spine.

It screamed, its tail whipped at Yasuke. He jumped back, but was a millisecond too late as it sliced open his shirt and skin.

"Guu!" doubled from the wound, he barely rolled away from its snapping jaws.

Panting from exerting his muscles to limits, he opened his palm as compressed lightning formed into a ball and floated unmoving on his palm.

He squeezed. He was startled as the ball was absorbed into his body and further reinforcing his body. Despite it was his first time using this Teigu, he felt like as if he had used the gloves since the day he was born.

His previous fatigue exhaustion faded as renew power filled him like a dam. For the first time, he had a feeling that he could actually slay this beast.

Perhaps his mind was still in shock, but now he could see the similarities between the lightning created by his gloves and the wolverine's; they were both pale blue.

He hadn't dismiss the fact that the wolf had directed a lot of hatred on the Teigu. And so he came out with a simple conclusion.

With no valid reason, he smirked, raising his gloved hand and waved it in front of the beast. His grin widened as the beast took his bait; its eyes glowed and indisputably screamed murder.

No one like seeing their body parts made into weapons against them.

Like a mad monster it was, it charged. Yasuke allowed a maniac grin on his face. The earth cratered as he leaped to meet the wolverine.

And the fight goes on.

-Thunder's Beast-

Empire Palace

Honest was no happy, far from happy. He was pissed.

"Soldier!" he screamed, a rushing by guard froze on its track and turned with fear evident in his eyes.

"Ah! Prime... Prime Minister! My most sincere apology!" He stuttered. Deep in the fat man's mind, he was pleased to find people afraid of him, but he was too angry to acknowledge the fact.

"Have we identify the intruders yet?!"

"S…Sir! Not yet. The intruders left little trace! Several guards were found unconscious in front of the door of the room containing all Imperial Arms. The doctors had found their muscles locked and paralyzed. They guessed it was poison, but there are no harmful substances in their bodies, so it was unclear."

Honest fumed, his face red and his blood-pressure almost hitting the roof.

"And the garden? Clearly there was an occurred battle regarding on the damage caused to the land?"

"Yes sir! Assassin Kurome was found unconscious on the floor. She had suffered no visible wound and was clearly taken out with surprise."

Honest gritted his teeth. He tore a steak in half with brute force and startling the young poor guard.

-Thunder's Beast-

Unknown location in the forest

Yasuke choked as he was thrown roughly on the ground. His back impaled with sharp rocks and splinters as he slid across the floor.

Arriving at a stop, Yasuke groaned as he struggled to get up. A sharp pain informed the boy that the blow had broken and bruised a couple of his ribs and internal organs.

Even with his never-ending energy, he could feel the strain in his muscles, and his brain on the edge of forceful shutdown from his concentrated battle with the wolverine.

His cloak was long discarded, his shirt tattered and bloody, gashes were visible as blood dripped like raindrops. His hair was soaked with sweat and his legs trembled with exhaustion.

He jumped over a tree thrown his direction. The wolverine tore through trees to approach his nemesis.

It was in no better condition. Patches of purple formed on his body from his punishing punches on its bulky body. A clear line of blood dripping down its maw as its eyes were bloodshot.

Its steps were rattling the ground, but it was staggering, on the verge of living and death. But it was an animal, and it was fitting for an animal to struggle before they were in Death's grasp.

The Beast swiped its claws at the boy, lightning enhancing its strike deadlier as it left arcs of trail behind in the air.

Yasuke pressed to the ground, the swipe inches away from taking his head as he could feel ozone lingering in the air.

Jumping away from his original position, a torrent of lightning exploded from the wolverine's jaws and obliterated the spot he was previous standing on.

Yasuke was losing blood fast, but he was grinning. He chuckled, this was fun, this was exhilarating, and this was life!

A laugh left his mouth. He beamed at his Teigu. It was a pity to die without giving the Teigu a name.

Raijuu, Thunder Beast, a fitting name.

"…Raijuu… grant me power." He whispered, clenching his fist.

Resonance, it reacted. It exploded lightning, but instead of only blue, there was tint of golden. It cracked and whipped the ground. But unlike before, it was not wild and lashing at everything. It was more tamed and controlled.

Yasuke remembered Gozuki telling him in the old days that real combat experience allows people improve in leaps and bounds.

Determined to destroy the monster, he grinned.

"Let's go…"

Dense lightning enveloped the heavily injured body, encasing him like a second layer of skin.

He dashed, and the earth split and blackened from the heat emitted from the lightning.

With the momentum, he lunged, and dirt shattered as he left behind a small sonic boom.

The wolverine was unable to react from the immense speed. Its claws reached half way and Yasuke flew by the approaching attempt the skewer. He could feel the air split behind him a millisecond alter.

A densely compressed arc of lightning was blasted in his way from the Danger Beast's mouth. But it was merely absorbed and further reinforcing the density of his lightning.

With a battle roar, his fist tore through the Wolverine's chest and blew a decent chuck of meat away, a hole in its place instead.

He went through the gaping wound, the scarlet dripping blood of the wolf soaked his body and tainted him red.

Pushing his will and body over their bounds, the lightning faded and the power in his body disappeared. His body felt a hundred times heavier and his eyelids slumping from the rapid unconscious overcoming his senses.

He bounced on the ground, and barely register the fact he had flew over the cliff and into the air. Luckily there was water under him from noise made by the crashing of water.

The final thing he saw was the Danger Beast screaming as it fell limp on its side.

And he slept, while he was falling hundred feet down the water.

However, unnoticed by anyone, the blood from the Danger Beast on his skin from the last attack moved as if it had a mind of its own. It twisted and blended, and finally seeped through the deep gashes and wounds and into Yasuke's body.

At the same time, the black flame-like tattoos materialized on the skin wrapped around his waist.

A Beast's Extract.

-Thunder's Beast-

On the Air Marta

Akame woke with a gasp, she sat up as her hand went for the sword hilt by her waist.

Her eyes landed on Najenda, who had her head turned to admire the view in the sky.

Her mind went hyper speed as she tried to think what happened before she fell unconscious.

Her expression turned from confused to anger to dread. During the time, Najenda had turned and face the pale faced assassin.

"…Yasuke… Where is Yasuke!" She gripped the hilt of Murasame harder, her knuckles turning white from how hard she was gripping her katana.

Najenda looked at her, surprised at how the normally emotionless assassin yelled tearfully.

"…He stayed behind to stall the Danger Beast…" she sighed, regret and remorse clear in her violet orbs.

The moisture in the crimson eyes became obvious as Akame gripped her head with growing desperation.

"...no…no…No…No!" She shrieked, droplet of tears lingering on her cheek.

"I'm sorry, Akame, but Yasuke's gone."

Akame felt her world collapsing.

-Thunder's Beast-

By the river side

Leonard was an elderly man in mid-fifties. He was from a small village that hunted fishes for living.

He had a woman, but she had died from blood lose in the childbirth of their daughter.

His only child, Marley, was far more precious to him than the world. She was the only thing that kept him smiling as he attended his wife's funeral. The baby kept him going when his house was torched on fire and ashes remains.

Marley was everything he need from the world. He would not hesitate to bring his child happiness.

His village was located in mountains, rivers and streams running down and provide them water.

It was late dusk, and the sky was painted orange and red. He was pushing a cart full of fish on his way back home.

He looked around him, taking in the gift Mother Nature had gave to them.

The luscious greens, the rocks that kept the water on bay, the unending streams that left them unlimited drinking source. A boy laying on the shore by the riverbed unmoving, the faint smell…

"What?"

He narrowed his eyes, and widened.

"Oh Lord… I am not seeing things, am I?"

Indeed, a motionless boy was lying face on the rocks.

Immediately, Leonard dropped his cart and jumped down the dirt road, landing ungracefully on the shards of rocks.

Pacing, he neared the boy, and saw numerous gashes on his back. His blood tainting the crystal clear river red.

"Oi! Lad! You alive?!" He pulled the boy from the freezing river and laid him down on the rocks.

He flipped the surprisingly well-build teen and inspected his injuries.

What he was wearing could barely be recognized as a shirt. His wounds looked like it was from slicing and his muscular body was purple and blacked from forming bruises.

Leonard winced from the injuries. His blood was already making a pool in the rocks.

Wasting no time, he slung the boy on his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. The stranger groaned as Leonard sighed in relief.

The boy is still alive.

He ran back up the road, and dropped the boy on the cart together with the wriggling fish.

He jogged, hoping he was fast enough so the boy could be treated.

-Thunder's Beast-

A pair of purplish onyx eyes snapped open. The first thing he saw was the wooden ceiling. He tried to sit up, but he moaned as he felt his ribs protested.

Scowling, he fell back on the bed.

The door swing open, and a girl put her head through the gap of the door.

"Oh, you are awake!" slipping through the gap with ease, she pulled a chair from the corner and placed it by his bedside. She sat lightly on the chair.

The boy stared at the girl. She was about the same age as he. Her blonde hair was at shoulder length, just touching barely. Her honey brown eyes were warm and the boy could feel at ease in her presence.

"…so…."

The girl began, staring at the boy, who blinked and smiled.

"Who are you?"

"Me? I am Marley. And yours?"

The boy furrowed. He closed his eyes in deep thought.

"Yasuke." He mumbled. That's right, his name was Yasuke.

"Yasuke… what a strange name." he shrugged.

"Your name is beautiful, though." Marley blushed a shade of pink. She huffed as she turned her head sideways.

"Hm! whatever, it sounds dumb, I don't like it."

Yasuke felt his lip twitched into a smile, and he found himself surprise at how well he was getting along with the blonde.

"My dad found you by the riverbed on his way back, you were injured pretty badly, what happened? Did you fall off and washed away with the current? That's really rough."

Yasuke opened his mouth to answer, but no word came out. He dived deep into his memories, searching for the reason he was here, he was injured. But nothing.

Marley frowned in concern as Yasuke paled and his frame shook. He turned to her as if he had just seen a ghost.

"I…I don't remember…" his teeth clashed together as he stared down at his shivering hands, "In fact…I don't remember anything…"


DONE! Finally, it was a long chapter that introduces the new OC. I hope you enjoy this new fic, if you like it, great! If you think this needs improvement, please do tell me.

See you next chapter

AnimeLover137