Hello! Welcome to my first published fan fiction! Continuing on obviously I don't own Aki, Yusei, and Crow. However I do own the story as well as Kitten who also appears. If you want images of Kitten I recommend heading over to my profile where a link will redirect you to a post on my Instagram!

Alright! Story start!

The sun hung high in the sky over the city. People were walking about continuing with their days. Two people walked among the crowd. One was wearing a tan cloak with the hood up while the other was wearing a blue jacket with a hood up. The woman wearing the tan cloak brushed her burgundy hair back behind her ear while keeping a close eye on the woman in front of her. They both took a stop in an alleyway. The woman that had been leading turned to the other.

"I'll go and scope out the area. Please don't leave here until I come back." The woman explained. "I don't wish for your safety to be in jeopardy because someone was an idiot."

The burgundy haired woman nodded. "Right."

The other woman walked away. Aki looked around for a bit. People were for the most part ignoring her continuing with the day. She stepped out of the alley a bit to get a bigger look at the area. She felt someone bump into her. She turned to her right to see someone with orange hair.

He turned to her. "Sorry."

"It's fine. Neither of us were hurt." Aki said.

The guy smiled before walking away. Aki ducked back into the alley. After a few minutes the other woman returned.

"The coast is clear Princess Aki. We should be able to get out of the city by nightfall.

"Alright Kitten. Then lets go." Aki followed her out of the alley.

Crow walked over to some of the stands. People in armor were walking around the street patting down anyone they ran into. While one of the shopkeepers was talking to a knight Crow quickly snatched an apple off the stand and kept walking. He got into an alley before taking a bite out of it.

Crow started digging into his pocket. "So let's see what the lady had on her."

He pulled out a beautiful brooch. It had a red rose on it with a few vines. He stared at it for a bit, while running his finger over the design.

Weird. Considering weight and texture it seems like it'd cost a lot but I've never seen any of the higher class wearing this...wait…

His eyes grew wide.

If none of the upper class wear it, then, did I just…

Crow immediately tucked it back in his pocket and walked over to the same alley he had walked into the woman. She was gone.

Crap.

He did a quick check around the area but didn't find her.

So I just secured myself in prison. He sighed. Unless I find her fast and place this back in her pocket I'm probably not seeing the light of day again.

"Hey Crow." A voice said.

He turned around to see Yusei. He was holding a few bags all of which were filled.

"Did you even grab anything?" Yusei raised an eyebrow.

"Sorry. Kinda got hungry and forgot." He rubbed the back of his head.

"Then can you hold some of these while we take them back?"

Crow walked over. "Yeah."

A two hours later

Kitten kept her eyes around the whole area. Aki and her kept avoiding all of the knights walking around. She slowed a bit noticing immediately the two knights.

She kept her voice low, "Stay close to me and don't go farther Aki."

"Right."

They both quickly walked through the two knights. One of them glanced at them before squinting. Kitten glanced at the guy after they passed.

"Hey." He started.

"Run." Kitten whispered while nudging Aki in front of her.

They both took off. Kitten heard the footsteps of the two knights behind them. She kept her hand close to the dagger on her right thigh that was mostly hidden by her jacket. They kept pretty far from the knights chasing them. Kitten noticed a black haired person on the side of the street.

He was waving at them. "This way!"

Kitten narrowed her eyes at first but followed Aki into the alleyway. There wasn't anything there except a manhole.

"Great. Now we're caught for sure." Kitten looked over her shoulder while pulling out the dagger on her thigh.

The man walked over to the manhole and opened it up. "Come on down."

He went inside. Kitten and Aki looked at each other before Aki shrugged and walked over to the manhole.

Well this is gonna be just great. Kitten followed behind Aki. She closed the manhole behind her. After getting off the ladder, she noticed Aki's reaction to the smell. Her nose was wrinkled and she was covering her face with a corner of her cloak.

I'll admit the smell isn't great but there's worse. Kitten looked at the man.

She stepped forward. "So why did you help us?"

He looked at Kitten. "Ever since those people have come no one's been safe. If I can help someone from them then I will."

Kitten narrowed her eyes.

Aki nodded. "Thank you. What is your name?"

"It's Yusei. And you two are?"

Aki took off her hood. "Aki."

"Aki?" He repeated eyes wide. "Aren't you the target for them?"
She nodded before pointing to Kitten. "And this is Kitten."

Kitten moved her lavender bangs back a bit. "So why are we in here again?"
"The sewer leads to a safe place in the back. I'll take you there."

Kitten clutched her dagger as she walked a little in front of Aki.

"So, what was the Princess and her personal guard doing in that part of the city?" Yusei turned his head a bit.

Aki opened her mouth before Kitten cut her off. "That's none of your concern."

"So should I just state it as the princess's concerns? Since the news about what happened to her p-"

"Just leave princess Aki's business out of your mind." Kitten growled.

Yusei glanced at Kitten before looking at Aki and turning his attention back to in front of him.

Aki nudged Kitten. "You know you didn't have to do that." She whispered.

"Aki with the situation going on we don't know who will give you away to the enemy just so they can have the promised freedom to do as they please. Besides it's my job to protect you, I'm not letting people take my friend."

"Don't you mean best friend?" Aki lightly teased.

"Technically yes."

Yusei walked over to a door and placed his hand on the knob. Aki put on her hood before he opened the door. The women followed Yusei inside. It wasn't the biggest room with just a beaten up couch and a few board games in the corner. An orange haired person was sitting on the chair fiddling with something in his hands. He looked up and froze.

"Crow do you know if we have two extra rooms?" Yusei turned to the man.

He paused to think. "Um. We might have one. Give me a second."

Crow walked out of the room.

Yusei turned to them. "Sorry if we've only got one since we take in a few people dealing with the opposing knights."

"There are others who deal with them to this degree?" Aki asked.

Yusei nodded. "They go over the top so if someone has something they want it doesn't matter if the person did nothing wrong."

"Okay." Aki looked around the room. "I didn't know places like this existed in the city."

"This is the only one. Crow, Jack and I think it used to be a hideout to a massive crime base. Nowadays we just use it to help others and as a home for ourselves."

Crow walked back into the room. "Just one room left. Soo, are you two okay with splitting a room or…"

"It's fine." Aki mentioned.

"Okay. So what's your names?" Crow asked.

Kitten kept an eye on Yusei and Crow while Aki introduced them.

"Nice to meet you Aki. It's Crow!" He reached his hand out.

Aki shook his hand. Kitten noticed Crow's stray hand really close to Aki. She grabbed it immediately, lifting it up. Crow froze as Kitten looked at the rose brooch in his hand.

Yusei sighed. "Again Crow?"
"Well…" He started as Kitten took the brooch from his hand. "I technically did it earlier soo more returning it."

Kitten handed Aki her brooch. "Great so there are some criminals here. Like there isn't enough already."

"Yeesh you don't have to sound so harsh about it." Crow commented.

"And you don't have to steal but you do anyway."

Aki spoke up, "So Yusei. Is there a set time for how long we're allowed to stay?"

"As long as you two need. We don't mind." He explained.

Kitten whispered to Aki. "Then we can talk about that later."

She nodded.

Yusei walked over to them. "I can show you to your rooms if you want."

Aki nodded. Kitten kept a close eye on Crow as they passed. She felt something on her leg.

Kitten turned around. "Give it back."

He lifted up the dagger. "You know you've got a lot of weapons on you. I'm surprised you haven't stabbed yourself by mistake."

"Just hand it over." Kitten growled.

He turned to her and, from Kitten's point of view, was examining her expression. She took the dagger out of his hand and put it back in it's slip before turning and walking away. Yusei led them to the room and walked out afterward.

Aki sat down on the bed. "So considering how fast we should get out of the city, how long do you think we should stay?"

"Not long. Maybe long enough to obtain more supplies but that's about it." Kitten closed the door.

"Shouldn't we get other help just in case?" Aki removed her cloak and rested it on the bed.

"Who would we ask? The other knights are still fighting, or what's left of them anyway. There is no one. We'll just have to stay alert and stealthy."

"True. Hmm."

A light tapping was heard on the other side of the door. Kitten immediately walked over and opened it. Crow jumped.

"What do you want?" Kitten growled.

He put his hands behind his head. "Nothing just wondering what you're up to since according to Yusei you didn't tell him."

"It's none of your or Yusei's business. Just back off." She backed into the room and closed the door.

Aki turned to Kitten. "Crow?"

Kitten nodded. She removed the hood on her head and stretched her black cat ears.

"You could probably untuck your tail as well Kitten. It's not like they'll intrude."

"Probably but I'm not gonna risk it. A hood is faster to put up rather than tucking a tail." Kitten sat down next to Aki. "We should stay for at most four days."

"Why just two?"

"It gets us off our feet for a bit, giving us time to map out our route, and stock up a bit on food."

"Alright." Aki looked at the light on the ceiling. "I wonder how father and mother didn't know about this place."

Kitten shrugged. "Some people when they don't wanna be found make sure they aren't. Anyway go ahead and get some rest. It was getting late before we got here."

Aki nodded. "So who's-"

"You." Kitten stood up.
"You know I wouldn't have minded giving it to you." Aki slipped off her shoes.

"I don't need it. Besides I'll be staying up later anyway."

"Okay…" Aki's voice trailed off.

Two days later just before they leave

Aki sat in the livingroom.

I know Kitten would object but she won't complain for the help if he says yes. Aki looked at her hands.

"What's up?" a voice asked.

Aki stood up and turned to face Yusei. "It's just a question I have for you."

"Is something wrong?" He raised his eyebrows.

Aki nodded. "Well partially anyway."

"What do you mean by partially?"

"We don't need the help Aki." A voice said.

She turned her head to see Kitten with her hood up holding both bags.

"And you know as well as I do having more help isn't bad." Aki put her hands on her hips.
"And telling everyone is." Kitten reasoned. "We're better off on our own."

Aki shook her head. "We don't know until we try." She turned to Yusei. "Could you come with us on this trip?"
"What do you mean trip?"
Aki took a deep breath. "As you know the enemy knights are in the kingdom. In order to kick them out, Kitten and I are going for help from an allied kingdom. Could you come with us."

Yusei paused for a moment. "So you're trying to get rid of the unwanted guests?"

Aki nodded. She heard Kitten sigh.

Yusei nodded. "I'll help. Things haven't been easy with them here."

"Great so where to first?" A voice asked.

They all looked to the side to see Crow leaning on the back of the couch.

"Keep to yourself." Kitten snapped.

"And why should I? You're gonna have to pass through the city which is swarming with guards. Another set of eyes couldn't hurt right?"

Kitten stepped toward Crow. "Just because Yusei is coming doesn't mean you are."

Crow walked around the coach. "Considering how you all were just talking and what you were talking about. You don't want everyone to know, so I'm coming. Of course I could also just tell everyone in this place." he raised his voice a bit. "And I don't think you want that."

"Shut up." Kitten growled.

"Then let me come along."

"It won't hurt." Aki mentioned. "Although I'm not surprised if you keep an eye on him."

Kitten sighed. "Fine! But I'm not dealing with the chaos he does."

"Then lets get going." Aki turned toward the door.

And that's all for the first chapter! I hope you enjoyed! I am currently writing the second one and am almost finished! Once it's done it'll be posted. If you have any questions please leave them in the comments and as long as the answer doesn't ruin the story I'll get to answering them!