''Hey guys, Brutal's started another story he probably won't finish again.'' I know, I know, I keep starting new things and forgetting about the old ones. Procrastination, it's a persistent and vicious beast. Speaking of vicious beasts (nice segue there Brutal) I've decided to do this, an Akame ga Kill (or Kiru, hardly matters if you ask me) fic. I have an OC in mind, and it's not Mercer this time. It's someone a little more... fitting. Anyways, on with it. I reckon a few of you can pick up on where I draw some of my ideas. Hint: I've been playing a lot of fighting games recently.

The Mountain Tiger

Chapter 1: Old Friends

Many years ago, Partas clan camp

''I'm leaving today, Esdeath.'' said a young, crimson haired, teal eyed boy. He carried few bags with him, mainly carrying essentials. He had his back to his friend, not wanting to see her face being one of sadness. This would be the last time, maybe for the rest of his life, he would see her. He was leaving the Partas clan that day, leaving his only friend behind. Esdeath, a young girl with long bright blue hair and similarly coloured eyes.

She wondered why he wasn't facing her. It wasn't like him to not look her in the eyes when speaking, so her first inclination was that something was wrong. She'd been taught to trust her instincts, and now they were warning her that something bad was about to happen.

''What do you mean? Tora, where are you going?'' she asked. Tora still didn't turn towards her.

''Those men that met with your father the other day. They're from an order of warrior monks who represent the fighting god Asura.'' he answered vaguely.

''And? What have they got to do with you?'' Esdeath questioned. Tora straightened his posture and faced Esdeath, knowing her reaction wasn't going to be good.

''They approached your father to request that I leave the clan to train with them and become a warrior monk myself. They said their numbers are dwindling, and they need young and able bodied students to carry on the teachings of Asura. So they chose me.'' he finished with a sad tone.

Esdeath's eyes widened and her stomach lurched. ''What!? My father wouldn't agree to that!'' she protested. Tora winced guiltily.

''No, Esdeath you don't understand.'' he breathed deeply. ''I chose to go with them. Let's face it, you're a much better hunter than me, and I know your father sees me as weak.''

''No he doesn't! You just have things to learn. If you stay hear I can teach you to hunt better.'' Esdeath was getting desperate to keep him with her clan. He was the only other one around her age, and so was her only real friend. Seeing him ready to leave without what she deemed a good reason was infuriating.

Tora smiled sadly at her. He placed a hand on her shoulder, trying his hardest not to let her sadness get to him. ''I'm sorry Esdeath. We have our paths in life, and mine is up in the mountains. Live a good life and get strong. I know you can.'' he removed his had and turned, just getting out of range of Esdeath's hand reaching out for him.

Tora didn't dare turn back, as he couldn't bare it. He knew he'd lose his nerve and stay with them if he looked back. The entire time he walked until he reached the threshold of the camp, he could feel the girl's gaze burning into his back.

Evening, the Temple of Asura

Tora forced open the giant wooden doors of the temple with all his might. Their weight felt like a test in itself to gain entrance. Once they were open, he stepped in and felt relief as he'd escaped the raging snow storm howling around the temple. The doors slowly closed behind him, and the thud of them shutting echoed off of the hallowed stone walls.

The entrance hall was long with flaming braziers lining the walls on each side. At the far end of the hall was a large stone statue of the fighting god Asura. On his face was a deep frown with his teeth bared. His elbows were bent and his fists were raised. Candles burned around his feet and old wax was melted onto the stone at the statue's base.

A robed man knelt before the statue in meditation. His hands rested on his thighs and his head was slightly bowed. The robe he wore covered the right side of his torso and his entire lower half. His back was heavily muscled and defined as was his shoulder and arm. To Tora, he looked as if he could punch him in half without a second thought.

''I see you have arrived unscathed. That in itself is impressive.'' came a stern voice from the knelt man. He stood and turned to Tora. The man had black hair that was greying at his sideburns. His face was hardened with a stony expression and his features were sharp as if cut from stone. Prayer beads hung around his neck, looping down to his scarred but solid torso. Each bead had a symbol on them, each being unrecognised by the young Tora. His head buzzed slightly when he looked at it, as if something about it was trying to bore its way into his skull.

''I was determined to get here. Snow and Danger-Beasts would not stop me.'' Tora replied, bringing a small but pleased smile to the old monk's face.

''That is good. The first step on the path of an Asura is having fortitude.'' the monk paused for a moment. ''Forgive me, I seem to have forgotten my manners. I am Head Asura Jin-Sen.''

''I'm Tora. Pardon my ignorance master Jin-Sen, but what do you mean by being an Asura? I though Asura was the god we represented.'' the boy asked curiously, rather confused at the monk's meaning.

''As you know, we are the warrior monks of the fighting god Asura. Through training and discipline, we take on what made Asura who he was. We transcend our previous selves, and become an embodiment of Asura. Thus, we are all Asura within this temple.'' Jin-Sen explained.

''I see...'' Tora had a look of deep though on his face. It made no sense to him, but he was sure he'd understand in time.

''Are there other kids here besides me?'' Jin-Sen shook his head.

''I am sorry, Tora. You are the only child we have found and deemed worthy to join us. It may yet be years until we find another.'' Jin-Sen said, knowing Tora would be saddened. ''If it is any consolation, I had asked your friend's father if he would allow her to join us. However, he declined.''

Tora was disheartened even more to hear that it was possible to have Esdeath here with him. He knew she'd make a great warrior monk. It was just in her nature to excel in anything related to combat. He'd learned that in their many hunts together. If only her father hadn't been so stubborn. However he understood that asking a man to unnecessarily part with his daughter was a particularly dicey request.

The boy knew the years he would spend here wouldn't be easy, but if he was the material for being one of them, then he'd happily take anything that came his way.

13 years later

''What are the tenants of Asura?'' Jin-Sen yelled to a hall full of children, teenagers and young adults.

''Fight for yourself! Fight for your desires! Fight for what is yours! Fight to protect or to destroy! Bow to no one! Do not be bowed to! Follow the path of Asura paved with your fists!'' the gathered students of the Path of Asura said in unison.

Jin-Sen, now 64 years of age, smiled at his students. The ranks of the Asuras had been restored and were flourishing. He was proud of his students, as they were the world's strongest, and when the time came, would go to live a life that suited them, and if the world said otherwise, knew to kick it in the teeth.

''Yes. These are the ways we are meant to live. The way Asura lived.'' he cleared his throat as he gazed over the gathered warrior monks. He beckoned his first and finest student forward from the shadows behind him. A crimson haired 24 year old man stepped forward, his tall form standing slightly above that of his master. He stood there dutifully, looking over the students with a warmth in his eyes that one would give to family.

''When one becomes an Asura, their highest calling is to scour the world for strong opponents. Today, we part with a brother, a friend.'' Jin-Sen looked at Tora and placed a strong hand on his shoulder. ''And a son. We now let him go out into the world to show others that Asura's spirit lives on. Not through preaching or sermons, but through combat. The language of the fist.''

''Tora, the Tiger of the Mountains, I wish to bestow this gift upon you.'' the old master took his prayer beads from around his neck and held them out in his hands with a formal bow of respect, the last bow he would give as his master.

Tora's eyes widened in surprise. ''Master?''

''Take them. You have more need of them than I.'' he handed the beads over. Again, Tora felt that buzzing sensation in his head, but now he held them in his hands, his hands tingled and his arms throbbed.

'What is this? I've felt this for 13 years, but I never knew why.' Tora thought.

''It is time I told you what this is. It is a Teigu, a powerful artefact forged from parts of an Ultra-class Danger-Beast. This is Killer Instinct: Shadow Tiger. It has stayed hidden from the world since my master passed it down to me, but I feel it is ready to see the world again in your hands.''

''I am honoured master. But what does this artefact do?'' Tora asked.

''From my own experience with that Teigu, it is not a weapon, but a power source. It sharpens the user's senses and physical prowess to unprecedented levels. How effective it is however, is purely down to the user.''

''Then I will do you and Asura proud. You can count on that.'' Tora said as he gave that innocent smile he'd retained since childhood.

Everyone had said their goodbyes, and eventually watched his retreating back descend the steps of the temple, his duffel bag on his back, and his new Teigu around his neck.

3 weeks later

''A fighting tournament hosted by... General Esdeath!?'' Tora read aloud off of a flier he took off of the wall of the inn he was staying at. He'd arrived at the Imperial capitol two days prior, and had thought it was odd seeing so many mercenary-looking people strolling around the city, typically hanging around the military district.

''You hadn't heard? I'd have thought that's why you're here.'' A waitress said as she carried over a tray of food to him. He stood to meet her half way and took it from her. He smiled at her, unintentionally making her blush. To her he looked a little scrawny to be a warrior. He was defined yes, but seemed to lack the real mass it took to have a powerful body.

''Thanks.'' he put the tray down on the table he was at. ''I came to the capitol to look for strong opponents, and while this tournament is the perfect opportunity, it's who's hosting it is what surprised me.'' He could understand the impression he gave off as he was wearing metal forearm guards and shin guards. He also had bandages under the forearm guards that wrapped around his arms from the middle of his fingers to his elbows. The only things on his upper body besides the forearm guards and bandages was a torn cloak and his Teigu.

''Oh really?'' the maid asked. ''It is strange for General Esdeath to host something like this, but I'm not too surprised.'' This caught Tora's attention.

''Why's that?'' he asked with a raised brow.

''Well, she is known as the Empire's Strongest, and revels in battle. I heard that she killed over 500,000 in the northern lands, and then killed Numa Seika like it was nothing.'' she explained. However she did catch his troubled expression. ''Is something the matter?''

''Well, if it's the same Esdeath I think it is, then I'm deeply disturbed. You see, I had a childhood friend called Esdeath, a girl with blue hair and blue eyes.'' he said, with very mixed feelings on what the maid had said.

''That's what General Esdeath looks like, bright blue hair and eyes. To think you've known her since childhood...'' she trailed off. ''Was she different back then?''

Tora wasn't sure how to answer her. While he was glad Esdeath had gotten strong enough to be called the Empire's Strongest, he was very upset at the atrocious acts she was renown for enacting. That wasn't the Esdeath he knew, but now he wasn't so sure. They had been separated for a long time, and this could have been a part of her nature he just hadn't witnessed.

''It's hard to say. I myself aren't sure. She was always kind to me, as we were friends. I know her father had drilled a rather cruel ideology into her head, one I disagreed with. The weak die, the strong survive. But that school of thought is unnecessary for humans, who are capable of mercy and compassion.'' he then realised he'd rambled a bit.

''I apologise, I didn't mean to prattle on at you. I guess I just got a little heated.'' he said bashfully. The maid laughed it off and smiled at him.

''It's fine. We've all gotta get it out sometime. I'm Clara by the way, a maid here if you couldn't already tell.'' she introduced playfully as she offered a hand. Tora took it, his considerably larger one seemingly swallowing hers.

''I am Tora, a warrior monk of the fighting god Asura. It is a pleasure to meet you Clara.'' he returned with his innocent smile.

'He's a member of such a legendary order of warriors, yet he looks so innocent! How!?' she wondered as heat rose in her cheeks.

''O-oh, a warrior monk. Can't say I've ever seen one of you, but I've definitely heard of Asura's disciples. They say that your fists are like steel and your bodies are like stone. Is that true?'' Clara asked in child-like wonder.

Tora scratched his cheek and laughed. ''I wouldn't go that far, but our bodies and minds are trained to heights beyond any common imperial soldier. We're definitely blessed with hard bodies, I guess.''

''Is that right?'' came a gruff voice from behind Tora. He turned in his chair and received a chair to the face. The chair shattered into countless splinters, only the two legs being held by the assailant stayed intact.

''Why yes, yes it is. And you are?'' the Asura asked, not bothered in the slightest about being hit with a chair, but about the chair being destroyed.

''Huh, would you look at that. As for who I am, I'm Genbu. I'm a Captain in the imperial armed forces.'' he said proudly, throwing the chair legs behind him. He was a short and stocky man with haphazardly kept armour that had a considerable amount of dirt and grime on it.

''Well Captain Genbu, I insist you apologise to Clara. Not only did you break a chair, but you startled her with no regard.'' Tora said.

''Hmph, and if I said no?'' the Captain goaded.

''Then I will ask again, but not a third time.'' the Asura warned with a dangerous edge to his voice.

''You threatening me?'' the Captain growled as he grabbed the hilt of his sword. Clara looked on in fear, not for Tora, but for the Captain. She'd read up on Asura's monks, and they were a force of nature. Steel bent and broke in their hands. Wood shattered on their backs, or faces in Tora's case. The very earth trembled under their force. It was as if their very skin was armour. The foolish Captain was picking a fight he'd regret.

''I implore you Captain. I want a quiet evening without incident. Just return to your table, have a drink and relax. You do not want to fight me.'' he immediately regretted saying that.

'Great, now I've gone and made myself seem like I'm undermining him.' he thought admonishing himself.

''Oh so you think I can't take you, huh!?'' he drew his sword and readied and attack. ''I'll show you, you arrogant bastard!'' Genbu charged recklessly just as Tora stood to his total 5'11 of height and inhaled a large gulp of air. He slammed his right foot into the ground and planted himself firmly, his foot leaving an indentation in the floorboards. His muscles expanded to their full size, no longer leaving him as the scrawny man Clara had seen, but truly what a warrior of Asura would ideally look like.

'His muscles tripled in size! All from a single breath!? Just what do they teach these monks!?' Clara mentally shrieked in amazement.

''Arrrgh!'' Genbu thrust his blade forward, only to have it harmlessly settle against Tora's skin. He then tried slashing him, but the blade merely bounced off of his arms, ribs and chest. Genbu began to panic and angrily flailed, striking wherever he could to no avail. Tora caught the blade mid swing on his last attack and felt the steel tremble in the Captain's hand. He calmly stepped forward and chopped Genbu on the side of the neck and caught him as he slumped.

''I'll take him to a room. I'll pay for it and the chair, Clara. And don't worry about the mess, I'll clean it up.'' he took the unconscious Captain upstairs before she could protest.

About two minutes passed and Tora returned. ''I apologise for that. It couldn't have been to easy to watch.''

''Oh don't worry about me, I'm fine. Trust me, I've seen my fair share of bar brawls, but that was amazing. I didn't know a person could have that much control over their body.'' Clara replied, still amazed at what she'd seen.

''It's only one's mind that restricts their abilities. Once mind and body are one, you can be capable of things once thought impossible.'' Tora said, relaying something Jin-Sen had told him in the first year of studying at the temple.

The next day, Imperial market

Day time in the imperial markets was alive with people going about their everyday business. People of all walks of life tried in earnest to sell their wares and produce, while others haggled and bartered. It was the first time Tora had been to an actual city, and was overwhelmed by it all. Towering buildings and crowds of people were far from anything he was used to, as mountains and a temple tended to leave you in the dark on such things. But he loved it. He loved the life, the energy, the excitement of it all.

He loved experiencing new things, and this was definitely one of the best experiences he'd had. The people seemed friendly enough, and the guards and soldiers looked diligent. But despite all he'd come to love about the city, he could feel that something was off. He could simply feel it in the energy the people gave off. There was fear. A lot of fear.

He meandered through the crowds, sneaking peeks at the multitude of market stalls. He continued on, wrapped up in his own thoughts until he'd bumped into someone. He'd head a small thud and looked down to see a brown haired boy wearing a long white coat, a tan sweater vest, black trousers and combat boots with a sword on his back.

''Ow...'' the boy muttered as he nursed his behind. Tora realised he'd knocked the boy over, and given his nature, felt inclined to help and apologise.

''I'm sorry. I didn't see you there, must've been in a world of my own there.'' he chuckled good naturedly as he extended a hand down to the boy. The boy looked up at Tora and was both intimidated by him and relieved he wasn't scowling at him. He took his hand and stood up.

''Don't worry about it. I wasn't really paying attention either. I'm Tatsumi by the way.'' the boy said, letting go of Tora's hand.

''Tora. Say, you look like a fighter. You going to fight in that tournament?'' the monk asked. Tatsumi nodded.

''I've got my reasons for wanting to go. The main one being that I need money to give it to my village.'' Tatsumi said, not entirely sure why he was revealing so much. Something about Tora made him want to trust the Asura.

''What about you? Got a reason?''

''It's a right of passage. I'm a follower of Asura, the god of fighting. I left my temple in the northern mountains three weeks ago to seek out strong opponents.'' Tora explained, all with a happy-go-lucky smile on his face.

''Huh, I'm from a village in the north. Does your temple happen to over look a canyon with a small village in it?'' Tatsumi asked. He had a feeling that he'd seen this warrior before. Crimson hair tended to be memorable.

''Yeah it does.'' he paused in thought for a moment. ''Have I seen you before? Perhaps with two others, a boy and a girl?'' judging from Tatsumi's reaction, he was right. But it was his reaction itself that set off alarm bells in Tora's mind.

''Uh, y-yeah...they're gone now.'' he said in a soft, very saddened voice. Tora instantly knew in what sense they were gone.

''I'm sorry to hear that. But Tatsumi, do not dwell on their deaths, it is their lives that are truly important.'' he said as he gave him a friendly tap on the shoulder. It wouldn't be long until the tournament started, and Tora hadn't signed up yet.

''I must be going Tatsumi. The tournament starts in a couple of hours and my name is still not on the list. Don't really want to miss that.'' he turned and gave a small wave to Tatsumi before heading off to the imperial arena.

2 hours later, 11am

Esdeath sat on her seat overlooking the arena with disinterest all over her face. One hand palmed her cheek while she watched various combatants flail and brutalise each other. For her ends, no one was hitting the mark. None were innocent looking, none were remarkably strong, and none were even interesting to look at. They were all thugs, mercenaries and travellers who fancied themselves handy in combat.

That was until two names were called. The combatants were known as Tatsumi and...

''No... Could it...'' Esdeath muttered to herself as she severely doubted it was her Tora from childhood. However the apprehension remained and she fidgeted in her seat, eager to see if it was the Tora she knew.

The two combatants emerged from their respective barracks and met in the main arena square. It was at that moment Esdeath's heart leapt into her mouth. Her stomach flipped and fluttered as her eyes landed on the crimson haired warrior monk.

'It's him... It's really him, after all these years...' joy filled her mind as she kept her eyes locked on him. 'He looks very healthy and strong, just as I'd expect from him. Now all I need to know is what he can do.' she thought, licking her lips. One thing that peeved her though was that he hadn't even noticed she was there.

Tora looked Tatsumi square in the eyes and smiled brightly. He swore he heard a girlish squeal from somewhere in the stands to his left but paid it no mind. He put a fist to his palm and bowed respectfully to his opponent.

''I wish you good luck Tatsumi.'' he raised his arms and kept his fingers loose, rather than balling them up into fists. He set his stance low and breathed slowly, letting the oxygen fill his muscles and the slowly inflated to their normal size.

Tatsumi held his sword at the ready and prepared himself for a tough battle. He was still keeping a lid on his reaction to seeing Tora's muscles triple in size just a moment ago, but he held fast.

''Begin!'' Esdeath shouted.

The two combatants instantly sprung into action and attacked. Tatsumi swung in a downward ark while Tora launched a flying kick at him. Tatsumi was shocked to find he was skidding backwards as the sole of Tora's boot was pushing against his blade. Tora spun mid air and swung his other leg over in a powerful arc that struck Tatsumi lightly on the shoulder. It knocked his balance but he'd evaded just enough to avoid the brunt of the kick.

Tora pressed the attack with more kicks that kept knocking Tatsumi's blade aside with each defensive manoeuvre he made.

'Damn! He's really got me on the ropes, and he's not even using a weapon. Think Tatsumi! Think!' an idea suddenly struck Tatsumi, as did a jab from Tora that landed on his ribs, his hooked fingers hitting the sensitive nerve clusters between the ribs.

Tatsumi jolted, but stepped backwards and countered Tora's next attack with an upward swipe that forced Tora to guard against it. Sparks flew of his forearm guards and he kept moving forwards, aiming his kick low to take out Tatsumi's unguarded legs.

Tatsumi saw this coming and jumped over the low kick, but failed to predict Tora getting into a crouch and springing upwards with a raised fist. The blow hit his chin and made his neck snap back as the disorientation from the hit and spinning in the air began to set in.

Tora stepped back to give Tatsumi space to recover. The younger male clutched his jaw and shook his head. He spat out some blood and raised his sword again.

''Damn, that's easily the meanest upper-cut I've ever gotten.'' he said with a slight slur on his words. He didn't realise it immediately, but the blow had dislocated his jaw. The adrenaline in his system prevented the pain from crippling his fighting, but he could still feel it.

''That's how you punish a jumping opponent.'' Tora replied succinctly before rushing back into action. Tatsumi ran at him but dropped onto his rear, sliding in between Tora's legs and slammed a quick kick into the back of Tora's left knee. He went down, but spun and caught Tatsumi with kick to the chest that he'd used his arm to spring off the ground with.

Tatsumi stumbled back and recovered from the blow to the chest. He knew that an Asura warrior monk would be strong but this was ridiculous. He'd fought Danger-Beasts that went down easier than this. His thoughts were interrupted when Tora slipped through his guard and grabbed his arm. He twisted, sending Tatsumi over his back and slammed him into the hard, stone arena floor. Tatsumi gasped as the wind was knocked from his lungs and pain shot up his back and through his shoulder.

However, he wasn't done yet as he rolled away from Tora and...

''I yield.'' came Tora's voice. He was no longer looking at Tatsumi, but now had his gaze fixed on a confused Esdeath.

''Come again?'' she said, not sure if she'd heard right.

''I said I yield. I'd realised you'd grown strong Esdeath, but I wouldn't have thought you'd gone deaf.'' despite what Clara had told him that Esdeath had done, he couldn't help but give his childhood friend a big, warm smile.

''It's been a very long time Esdeath. We have a lot of catching up to do.''

That's a wrap for the first chapter. I know it's short, I know it might not be of the highest quality as it certainly isn't, and I know it may seem rushed or somewhat of a stupid premise. But honestly I just wanted to get this started, introduce Tora, and get the scenario rolling. With that said and done, I wanna know what you guys think.

Review, Follow, Fav, all that good stuff. And seriously, a lot of fighting game influence is going into Tora's character. There's gonna be references all over the place. Peace.