Well let's get to the story, shall we? Due to my younger sister's *Cough annoying Cough* complaints I added a new story that will allow her to survive to be within the story and stay in. Maybe check that out. Let's get to this. Just a small note, this chapter starts 1 year after the events of the last.

Chapter 2

Introductions

Jaden P.O.V

I swiftly slashed my blood-covered sword through the air to force the blood off. Ugh I hate when they move so much

Three males were now dead at my feet. I could feel the blood seeping into my shoes as I suppressed a wince. That's going to be a pain in the ass to clean later.

"P-please! S-spare me!" The last one yelled as he crawled further into the ally we were in.

I glared at the now blood-covered man. "Why the hell should I spare your life?"

"I-I swear that this wasn't my choice"

I placed the tip of my rocky-like sword against his temple as I squatted to get a close look at the man. "You looked like you were having a hella good time smacking that child and trying to rape his mother"

"I-i"

"I-I," I mocked him, "am almost as bad as the literal killer. Rich pricks like you think you own the fucking world"

"P-please spare me. I have a wife and kids!" He tried the classic excuse.

"Well, you should have thought about those imaginary people before you did what you did today. I know all about you due to the file over there" nodding my head to the left.

He let out a small whimper as I pressed the blade closer into his head, just enough to draw blood. "Any last words?"

He shook his head. I gave him a nod and pulled the blade away.

His eyes widened as he saw me pull the blade away.

"I'll be a prick alright? You got five seconds to run, while you run I'll throw this sword at you. If I miss you live and I won't come after you again, if I hit you and you survive I'll let the child finish you off" I said motioning to the still unconscious child still on the floor. "You hit that boy pretty hard so you'll have a little time to think about your life choices before you die. Sound fair?"

He nodded and scampered onto his feet quickly. He dashed down the ally and I counted to five.

One

He has run about 1/5 of the ally.

two

2/5's

three

3/5's as I readied my sword

four

He picked up the pace and was now turning out the ally as I pulled my arm back.

Five. You lose.

The second I hit five, I threw my sword and impaled the man from the back of his neck.

There the child doesn't have to dirty his hands.

The sword shimmered for a second before disappearing.

My My, someone has been busy.

What the hell do you want?

I just noticed that the number of souls you've collected had a sudden jump from zero to four.

I said I'd do it didn't I?

Yes, you did but you spent a year preparing so don't mind me if I'm a bit surprised.

So what if I took a year? What matters is that I kill them

Well even still you are on a time limit

I get that, leave me the hell alone

I'm going to ignore that small pun

Sorry I forget that Satan likes to pop into my head from time to time.

Now that the sword was gone, I noticed scorch marks on the corpses where I had hit them. That might be a bit annoying

Well you know if you tried the rocky exterior of the swords could just explode and give you a more ranged attack and make the sword better.

I'll have to test that later. I heard a small groan as the small boy sat up.

"Wha-" He asked as he looked around. When he noticed the bodies around him, I give him credit for this, instead of freaking out or throwing up he instantly got up and held a small metal pipe in a sloppy defensive position.

"Relax kid, I just saved you," I said with a light chuckle.

He regarded me with a suspicious look and lightly lowered the pipe. "Where is mommy?" The kid looks like he's 8 years old and still calls his mother mommy. Eh If I could I probably would have called mine that until I turned fourteen.

"Your mother is safe inside that house," I said as I jutted my chin behind him.

He dropped the pipe, ran in, and as I promised his mother was there. I could hear her start to awaken. She cried out when she realized she and her son were safe and hurried out of the small house I had put her in.

She nearly knocked me over when she tackled me into a hug as she thanked me over and over.

"It was no problem ma'am," I said I as awkwardly patted her on the back

"ThankyouThankyouThankyou" She muttered into my ear. She pulled away from me and apologized. "I'm so sorry I should have asked if it was ok to hug you like that"

I cut her off with a hand on her shoulder. "It's quite alright. I was alone for a while and a hug felt nice"

As I gave her a small smile as she dashed off into the house I had put her in, which I assumed was her's and came back out with a bag. Judging by the size of the bag and the situation, she was trying to pay me. She tried to hand me the bag which I politely declined.

"Please sir, I know it's not much but it's all I have"

I pushed the bag even closer to her. "I didn't do this to get paid." I gestured around me. "Do you see anyone here that would have paid me to take on such a job? You certainly didn't after he caught you by surprise. I did it because I wanted to help you."

As I spoke I pulled out a bag of my own. "I want you to take this, it should be enough to get you and your son out of the capitol."

She started tearing up. "I'm so grateful it's just-"

"It isn't safe out there? It's safer out there than in here. Here there is no one to protect you from the monsters but out there they'll save you more often than not"

I handed her a small handkerchief. "Ms, If you intend on staying long I have one request for you. Give a warning to all the people that I'm around now"

"What do you want to be called?"

I thought for a moment. "Call me...the Grim Reaper"

OOH Really original. Although I suppose it's fitting.

I pulled a knife from my bag and tossed the hilt towards the boy. "Here, protect your mother alright?" I quickly walked over and ruffled his hair. "Don't be afraid, I only kill who deserves it."

"A-are you a hero?" He asked me, eyes filled with wonder.

"Far from it kid. I'm one of the worst people you could be in this world. I just don't sugarcoat or lie about it like others."

"So what are you?"

I resisted the urge to say. I am JUSTICE!

Looks like only talking to me for a while has messed with your thought process. Duly noted.

"I am a person who is willing to get their hands dirty so the world can be cleansed" I sat for a moment to wonder if he understood. He gave me a nod but I'm 90% sure he's going to ask his mom what I meant by that.

As I walked away I felt my eye flair back to life. I managed to figure out how to make my eye look normal for a short while of time. Ignore my pun but during the time my eye is hiding its true colors, I can't access my enhanced sight so I only hide it when I need to blend in.

A familiar blue light illuminated the path in front of me. Well, I got work to do...maybe I should get a job to pay for basic needs.

A job? That sounds fun

The fuck? I thought you left

I am never going to miss a thought of yours. Just because I'm quiet doesn't mean I'm not listening.

Time skip: 3 years

To say that I was pissed was an understatement. My retarded ass boss just fired me for standing up from her. Like what was I supposed to do? Let that bitch walk in here like her owned the place and make demands that weren't even within our zone of business? The hell does she want us to do with the order of "Clean my robes" Do I look like a freaking clothes washer? Did she not see the apron around my torso? Sure the food is crappy but you still got to treat us like a restaurant!

I sighed as I walked past several posters about this group called Night Raid. A few of them were identified but most of them weren't. To any average person, they seem like a violent gang of assains killing rich people.

Lucky for them I'm not your average person. I do a deep background check on everyone that I hear about getting killed. So far their track record is solid in killing people that were on my list. I saw a picture of a girl with seemingly black hair.

She looks familiar.

I heard that a Captain was killed the other day. He was known as Captain Ogre, not sure if that was his real name but based on what I could see, this was a recruit.

I had been trying to track them down to see if they would let me join. Sure I would have to keep the finer details of my Imperial Arms under wraps but it would be profitable for both parties if I joined up with them.

You realize you can afford to slow down for a bit right?

Why would I do that?

Cuz you can! Tell you what, if you get your rocks off with the first hot lady I see, I'll let you talk with your sister

I blinked a few times. What. The. Actual. Fuck?

You heard me, I've checked your memories, you haven't done the deed yet and never jacked off once. So do us both a favor and go take a break tonight

So...Satan is invested in my love life...How weird. Wait what do you mean both of us? If I ever agreed to that what were you going to do, watch us?

... Moving on do we have a deal?

No. I'm pretty much Asexual at this point. No matter how hard I try, I can't exactly think about having sex when how they die is implanted in my brain forever.

Keywords pretty much. We just got to find the right lady...or fellow. Possibly someone won't die for a long time and/or old age.

Ugh, can we not talk about this? I got to get ready.

As weird as that was, I quickly threw off my apron. I hopped into a quick shower as I thought about the posters about the Grim Reaper.

They claimed that I was just a bloody murder and I didn't care if the person I killed was male, female, rich, poor, young, old, healthy, or sick. Their words, not mine.

Even though I leave a file on every single corpse I leave behind giving legit proof that within a legal case, they would be executed.

Although I expected some people to be against me, what I didn't expect is me basically having a cult. They either think I'm an actual Grim Reaper, or they know the truth about who I kill. Some are people I've saved, some want me to save their asses. It would be rude for me to not at least show up and hear them out.

I hopped out of the shower and threw on some basic clothes. My hand hovered over a light chest plate. It would be nice to have a little protection but it could get in the way.

I took my hand away and slammed my foot through a floorboard in my cheap ass room. Inside was a small collection of things. A small bag, a few bags of coins, and if you reached far enough, nails, a hammer, and more boards.

I took the hammer out and started taking out the now split floorboard.

You know, having floorboards, nails, and a hammer in your room isn't illegal by any means, it's more suspicious if you sit there throwing out broken floorboards every week

Nah if this place ever gets searched, if they see those, they'll start tearing up the floorboards.

Inside the bag was something people might compare to a bingo book. There is only one person I have killed that wasn't in this book. He was a good man, it was a shame he got in my way. I heard that he was a father, I would give my regards but I doubt they would want to hear that from me. He was part of the empire that was simply doing his job and I had to do mine.

I reached deeper into the bag and pulled out a cloak. I know what you are thinking, why the hell do you have a cloak? or Wow a cloak, let me guess it's all black and it has a big hood that covers your face. So what if it does? They call me the fucking Grim Reaper. I was joking when I said to call me that.

No, you weren't.

Then one of my clients said I should wear it to hide who I am.

I'm fairly sure that's not what happened.

So then he shoved one into my hands,

Why are you lying about this?

And I'd hate to waste the money he spent on this.

This cloak costs less than that broken nail over there.

Ignoring the unwelcome person in my head.

You were very welcoming to my eye and I don't know if you remember but the deal was an eye for an eye, entertainment for power.

I slipped on the cloak and covered my head. I checked outside to make sure it was dark and hurried out.

So who is your target?

An ex-Executioner, he went crazy after killing so many people basically and now is killing without end. He has large blades on his wrists and has a large eyeball on his forehead.

An eye Imperial arms? Better kill him before he gives us a bad name!

I once again ignored him as my eye flared to life. It was getting harder and harder to hold its true form back, probably part of my time limit.

As the path in front of me was lit up with a blue light I pasted by a poster that one of my cult members put up.

They put something on it that vaguely reminds me of a song.

Before you go out at night

Beware the one that will set you right

Only those as pure as gold

Can escape the reapers hold

With a bright blue eye

If you see the blue hue, you will die

Not bad, Beggers can't be choosers am I right?

I started to use the second gift my eye gave me. I can see anywhere I want. I can normally see all 360 degrees around my body but I can further that and see great distances.

Soon I spotted my target, Zanku the Executioner, or Zanku the head hunter as some call him.

I cursed under my breath.

He had found a new target already. A young boy with a mop of brown hair was on the ground, he had some injuries but the main problem here was who Zanku was fighting right now. Akame of Night Raid, meaning that boy on the ground is more than likely the newbie.

I felt something new enter my veins as black filled the veins closest to my eye. This is the third ability I found. I fill my body with this strange black substance and it enhances my body's everything.

I crouched a bit then jumped onto the roof of a building, from there I started running and jumping towards them. I might get a chance to join them, goodbye crappy jobs.

If you had told Tatsumi that when he went to the capital and learn his 2 best friends had died, he would be pushed into becoming part of Night Raid, become an assassin, and nearly die on his third job, he would have told you your crazy. But here I am now, on the ground while the raven-haired Akame was the only thing between my life and death.

At first, I had thought Akame had this in the bag, she's crazy fast, strong and thanks to Murasame, she only needs to slash him once.

That was before Zanku managed to draw blood.

"Before we continue our dance of death, do tell me one thing Akame...How do you deal with the voices?" Zanku asked.

Akame only quirked up an eyebrow to show her confusion. When Zanku was about to open his mouth to elaborate a sound of feet landing on the ground echoed behind him.

I felt a bit of panic start to come on as I noticed that there was a black cloak holding a red-glowing sword that had a surface similar to rock.

"He means the voices of all those he's killed." A voice called out as the cloaked figure started to approach slowly.

The Grim Reaper, I assumed that all the rumors were exactly that, rumors. But here it is in the flesh.

"Those voices are unique to you Zanku" The figure continued

"Is that so? Not even the legendary Grim Reaper hears the voices from hell?"

"Legendary is laying it on thick" The Grim Reaper said with a small chuckle. "The ones who really deserved to die, stay quiet"

Akame prepared a stance, assuming that the Grim Reaper was hostile.

"At ease Night Raid, I have no problem with you, in fact, I would like to talk to you about business after I'm finished with my target here."

The figure moved a bit faster until he was between Akame and Zanku.

"Akame, handle your partner over there." He made a motion backward toward me.

As soon as Akame had started to treat my wounds, a blue light flared to life, and a wave of killing intent flooded the area around us.

"I shall show you, why I am called the Grim Reaper"

His blade exploded causing Akame to shield my eyes with her arm.

When she moved her arm, there were black rocks scattered around the area and his sword now was a sleek black metal except for orange cracks running around the blade.

"I wonder if that blade is an Imperial Arms," Akame said absent-mindedly

"It would have to be right? He couldn't have Zanku as a target and not know he has an Imperial Arms and come without one" I exclaimed

"He could have a technique that allows him to take on wielders of Imperial Arms. Although something about that sword doesn't seem normal"

She's got a point, if it wasn't an Imperial Arms, what the hell is it?

Zanku let out a massive laugh, "Ah how amazing, it seems you may actually be the one in the rumors."

"I'm whatever you perceive me to be. I perceive myself as your killer"

The green eye opened so I called out a warning. "Careful he can read minds!"

"Tatsumi right?" The figure turned to face me, "Listen I appreciate the concern but I can handle this."

"What the hell? Your not clearing your mind, so how are you unreadable?" Zanku shouted in surprise

The cloak turned back towards his opponent again and I could practically hear the smirk in his voice. "Family secret would be rude to tell you unless you put a ring on it"

"Fine, I'll just use my foresight." The eye opened once again. Soon after Zanku's eyes shot open. "No, Impossible"

The cloaked figure had vanished as soon as I blinked and reappeared behind Zanku.

"What's impossible? Me slicing your head off like in that vision of yours?"

"What are you?"

"Your death," The Grim Reaper said causally

He placed a hand on Zanku's shoulder. After a moment he spoke, "Man I got you good huh?"

"Oh wait, you can't talk, just like the girl you killed the other day," The cloak said with mock sympathy holding a sliced-off head in his hand.

He placed the head down and aligned it with the body, leaving a folder on a non-bloody part, and said softly, "There, no more voices."

There was a blue flash and then the hood of the cloak was taken down, revealing a brown-skinned man, maybe three years older than me. He had dark brown eyes and black hair that was sort of messy.

"Sup, I'm Jaden or the Grim Reaper," He muttered something along the lines of God I hate that name and continued. "I wanted to ask if I could join Night Raid"

Well, that was an eventful night. Tatsumi was staring at me with a gobsmacked expression and Akame had the blankest look on her face ever.

"Listen I hate the empire, it's horrible here, if I join you, I get a little money as I work towards my goal and you get an extra pair of experienced hands. It's a win-win." I said hoping that they would at least consider it.

Before Tatsumi could say anything I cut him off. "I've been wanting to join you guys for a while now, and this came up and I figured that it was better to ask here rather than randomly showing up at your place."

Soon enough I was standing in the middle of a room, facing a lady with white hair surrounded by several people.

The lady in the large seat in front of me was Najenda, AKA the boss. In her hand was my book.

"I must say, you certainly have quite a lot of experience"

"Yes ma'am," I said. "I was partly trained before starting. I waited about a year to hone my skills and then started taking jobs 4 years ago"

"Quite impressive. Compared to some of here, you are nearly on par with our highest killed under her belt"

"So will you accept my proposal?" I asked with a bit of hope seeping into my voice.

"Under normal circumstances, I would but there is one thing you need to tell me first," She said with a pointed look

Fuck I expected this but now I don't know if they'd buy it

"What would that be?" I asked keeping my voice as monotone as I started

"Your Imperial Arms. What is it?" She crossed her arms under her chest and had an expectant look on her face. I could feel the others focus their gaze on my neck as if they planned to strike there first if anything went wrong.

Is someone going to join me so soon?

Well, there is no point in lying I thought to myself. I'll just hold back some details

I pointed to my right eye. I gave a small sigh as she lifted her eyebrow. "It's called Demonic Origins: Satan's Right Eye. I keep its true form hidden until I need it but in a nutshell it allows me to summon a few weapons, see wherever I please, and sense when a death has happened."

"I assume you have a trump card"

"Not one that would be worth using anytime soon," I said truthfully

"Welcome to Night Raid..."

"Jaden"

"Welcome to Night Raid Jaden"

Someone approached me and tried to pat me on the shoulder but everyone seemed surprised when I dodged. I saw that it was a tall, muscular man with blue eyes and black hair that combed up in a heart-shaped pompadour.

"Sorry, I'm not big on touching. I'm Jaden"

"It's alright. I'm Bulat but you can call me handsome or bro" He gave off a smile that seemingly set off sparkles around his face.

You know, he's not bad looking

Would you keep your stupid thoughts to yourself! God damn, I can't ignore your stupidity anymore. Shut your trap demon!

You can call me a name you know. Satan, the evil one, bobby or even Joe

Is that your attempt to be funny? Excuse me for not wanting to be on a first-name basis with THE LITTERAL EMBODIMENT OF EVIL

I shook my head to clear the thoughts out of my head. I was introduced to a few more people.

Mine, a short, very pink girl. She calls herself a genius sniper, which I'll believe when I see it.

There was Leone, she was tall, blonde-haired, very blessed in the chest, and strong as she is fierce. I mean physically strong.

There was a green-haired guy named Lubbock, who was quite smart. Out of all of them, he seemed to have the least amount of combat potential besides the boss who was handicapped with missing an arm.

And lastly of the people, I haven't met was a purple-haired girl with a scar on her right cheek.

Yo someone had just made an aperience. See something you like.

Before I could stare any longer I quickly threw on my hood to hide my blush. Fuck he's right

Something about this air-headed purple girl just...was...I don't know. I had to find some way to play off my throwing on my hood like that.

"I have to cancel the cover on my eye, I'd hate to freak any of you out," I said as I dropped the cover, causing blue light to flood into the room.

Sheele leaned a bit closer and giggled. "I think that eye of yours is pretty cool"

I felt my blush intensify tenfold. "Nah. It's more of a curse than cool"

She backed up and I let out a small sigh.

My boy, you got it bad.

Shut the hell up.

For some reason, I feel like you say the word hell more just to me.

I'd say go to hell but you'd enjoy a trip there huh?

I was led to a room and quickly passed out in the bed.

I have to get used to living here now huh?

(Five days later)

I sat in the kitchen one early morning. I took it upon myself to help anyone with whatever duties I could. So I was placing some breakfast on the table. I saw Akame drooling a bit and I lifted a finger towards her. "Do not! I repeat Do not eat the food on this table. Well besides that plate over there" I motioned to a plate at the end of the table. "That one is yours"

"So..." Lubbock said as he reached into a fruit basket and started eating an apple(Ignoring the look on my face I might add. To be fair if he saw it he might have a heart attack). "Tatsumi is training with Sheele today? Do you think he'll be ok with her in charge?"

"He'll be fine" the boss replied. "I think Sheele really enjoys Tatsumi's company"

"What makes you say that?" Lubbock asked with a raised eyebrow.

"Older women seem to like Tatsumi," She said as she shrugged her shoulders.

"Oh! Over here!" Leone cheered as she raised her hand into the air with enough energy to give me a heart attack. "I've totally got dibs on Tatsumi next!"

"See?" The boss said as she pointed at Leone with a thumb. "The kid has some kind of gift or something"

As Lubbock cried to himself anime-style got a sudden vision of me hitting the floor. Wait am I going to die or something?!

I started frantically searching around me, searching for something that could kill me so quickly.

"Since Tatsumi is an assassin, he has to be a lady killer" The boss joked, causing an uncomfortable silence to cover the room. "How was that? Pretty clever right?"

I hit the floor. As everyone gave her a blank stare. "I guess not"

I know what died...My soul

.

(30 minutes later outside of Night Raids base in a river)

.

I was walking over to deliver some lunch for the two of them when I saw Sheele bent over revealing some of her cleavage as she tried to find her glasses.

Naturally, my eye being active I got a good view. After nearly losing blood I quickly recovered and noticed Tatsumi was wearing armor.

I slapped on an eye patch I got from the boss and walked over letting my presence be known as I told Sheele to lift her head.

"But my glass-" She was cut off me flicking her glasses perfectly on her face. "Oh thank you."

I gave a small smile. "No problem. So you had Tatsumi swim in armor?" I said as I patted his shoulder and I noticed something.

"Yo this armor is so fucking light" I muttered

"The fuck? This thing weighs more than bulat!" Tatsumi exclaimed

I gave a small shrug. "My bad I forgot you were new to this. I remember wearing armor that weighed more than ten Earth Dragons per limb."

As he looked at me with a gobsmacked expression again, I started to explain. "Don't sweat it, man. They did some crazy shit to my body. It makes me able to do some unnatural things." I was watching him swim to keep my eyes off a certain someone to prevent comments from another someone. Although that probably got him curious.

It was hard but I managed. Tatsumi is doing pretty well.

I wonder how someone as nice as sheele got into this line of work

As if he read my mind, as we sat down to eat the food I brought(well not me, I just ate), Tatsumi asked the same question I asked.

(Sheeles backstory. A.N. My bad I'm just too fucking lazy to type it out)

As Tatsumi gave his apologies to her and Sheele said it was fine I wondered if I should tell the kid my story too.

I could tell what he was thinking. That everyone seems scared and I can't help but agree with him. This job isn't something most people choose if they have options.

At first, glance, what I can assume from looking at them, Bulat thought this was the best way to cleanse the empire after something went wrong with his life as a general, Lubbock has some kind of female related reason, Leone wanted to fix the problems that put her in an unfortunate social situation, Mine was treated horribly for some reason, Akame fights for herself after only fighting for the wrong people, and the boss saw the true colors of the empire far before us.

Wow, are you a cop or something?

What is a cop?

I swear I didn't do anything wrong, I'm not black either

There was something about his tone. What the fuck are you talking about? What does you not being black have to do with anything?

It has plenty to do with a lot. Wink

Did you just say wink? Never mind. I don't wanna know. Whatever you say.

.

(Next day in the meeting room)

.

"Tatsumi, since your wounds are fully healed by now..." Najenda said as she extended her arm towards Tatsumi, holding something green. "This Imperial Arms that we seized from Zanku...we're going let you have it"

"Woah! Are you sure?" Tatsumi nearly yelled as he snatched the eyeball from the outstretched hand. "What about everyone else!?"

"It's only one Imperial Arm per person" Bulat explained

Lubbock walked over next to Bulat as he said. "Be careful man, these things take up a lot of physical and mental strength."

I could tell that Tatsumi was insulting and complimenting the thing in his mind. Well I hope the rejection wouldn't be too hard on him

"We couldn't find anything about this Imperial Arms in the records, so it's still a mystery," Najenda said as she leaned forward in her chair.

"It has the power to read minds right?" Akame asked as she walked closer to him. "Then read my mind." He placed it on his forehead and the two locked eyes and after a solid moment, he said this.

"Your thinking about meat"

*Gasp*" It works!"

I moved forward and smacked him on the head. "Nice try wise ass, it didn't even turn on. She's always thinking about meat. You can tell after you know her well enough."

After Mine made some remark about not wanting it reading her mind and it being creepy she gave him a good idea. "It has five senses, why not try one of those?"

He sat down cross-legged and once the eye opened up, a blush crossed his face and he started ogling the girls.
He got X-ray vision huh?

Mine had leaned closer to him while asking a question and he recoiled away from her.

Leone asked a question and I quickly stepped between the two. Can't have the man die from blood loss. He most likely can see through the main clothes of the others but he would see straight through the very little clothes she wore.

He looked at me with a confused face. Does it not work on me? Is that why he's confused?

I crouched in front of him, and leone jumped over me like we were playing leapfrog, causing Tatsumi's head to roll back and blood to leak out his nose. Then he proceeds to collapse.

"Ah, shit! It's rejecting him!" Lubbock shouted as Akame rushed forward. Someone is a bit protective much I thought as I lifted his head for an easy grab for Akame.

"We have to get it off now!" Akame yelled as she yanked it off of him.

"Man I feel really tired," Tatsumi said weakly. He looked around at the girls and let out a small sigh.

Fucking perv

Don't blame him. He's like 16

I lifted him off the ground and they started talking about things. I didn't pay attention, due to me only being here for work. I'm not here to make friends.

You want to be friends with that She-

Shut your fucking mouth if you know what's good for you.

That was until Najenda handed Tatsumi a large book. It contained information on the known Imperial Arms.

Tatsumi being Tatsumi, sat there and flipped through all the pages only paying attention to the ones he knew.

I caught a glimpse of an organic type. It looked like a big ugly-ass dog. Probably foreshadowing.

Tatsumi asked what Najenda thinks as the strongest Imperial Arms. She answered someone with an Ice one.

Tatsumi went into this little speech about these dangerous war weapons and said that there might even be one that could bring back the dead.

I froze when he said that.

Well, speak of the devil.

After everyone told him it wasn't possible, he walked out asking to be alone.

Sheele and I exchanged a look. You follow him, I'll wait my turn.

As Tatsumi got a hug and small talk right by the graves of his friends, I waited, leaning on a tree.

I'm surprised. I figured you'd be jealous. Yet you seem to be fine with the budding emotions between the two

I don't own her. She's gone through enough and doesn't need some idiot trying to claim her. All I can do is hold on and maybe someday she'll return the feelings that are brewing in me.

And if that never happens?

I'll settle for being right by her. I can't force her to feel anything for me, no more than I can get rid of the emotions that may haunt me forever.

Ok, what book did you read that from?

Uh, I don't remember. Some manga that some side character fell in love with and didnt get the girl right away.

I thought it sounded familiar

I might have mixed a few. I hate to be accused of plagiarism

After they left the grave, I grabbed Sheele by the shoulder. "Go on inside. You got a mission tomorrow, right? I'll talk to him a bit more."

"I think he's alright now"

I gave a small smile. "I'm sure he has a few things to ask me anyway."

I gave her a gentle push towards the base and grabbed Tatsumi by the arm. "Come with me. I want to show you something"

A few moments later we were on top of a small mountain by the base. I was breathing a bit heavier than normal but Tatsumi looked like he just ran 5 marathons.

"Is your plan to kill me?" Tatsumi wheezed

"No, not yet," I said with a bit of dry humor lining my voice

"Yet?" He echoed

"I'm messing with you."

"Oh"

I sat at the edge and patted the ground next to me. "Come one sit down"

After he sat, he was given an amazing view of the moon. "So if you're not going to kill me...Are you that way?" He finished with a hand in front of his mouth, loudly whispering.

I let out a massive laugh. With a mock deep voice(mimicking Bulat) I said. "Yes, I am. Please call me handsome or honey buns."

Tatsumi sat there quiet...Did he not know I was joking?

"Uh just so you know I was kidding."

"Oh thank god..." He sighed with a hand over his chest.

We sat there for a minute before I spoke up. "So what was it you wanted to ask me?"

"How did you know?"

I gave him a light punch to the arm. "You sit there staring at me with this questioning gaze. It's either you have questions or you're in love with me" I said looking at him.

"So your eye, how did you get it?"

"I assume you just want to know my story and what I'm capable of huh"

"That about sums it up"

(One long backstory later)

"That was so..."

"Long? Boring?"

"Sad!" Tatsumi said as he sniffled a little.

"Alright shut up you big baby. No one is ever going to tell you their stories to hear sorry. Simply because you asked I told you. "

"B-but I'd feel bad if-"

"If you say nothing? Well, you can say it sucks they went through but that's all you could say. I know for a fact it pisses me off when someone says sorry for no reason other than pity"

"I didnt mean for it to seem like that" He lowered his head

"Pick your head up. You see that moon up there," I pointed as he nodded. "We are stuck in a cycle of night and day due to how the moon and sun move. Just like life. The sun and moon are things that happen in our lives and the cycle is our life. You can't stop what's meant to happen but you can make amends or even reverse the side effects but no matter what you do, there are consequences to your actions. Only a fool would think of challenging fate, but a strong one would do it. Tatsumi, think of it this way, the past is the moon and the sun in the future. Many fear or hate the past, others love it and the future is the same. You can't get caught up focusing on either of them because here on earth is the present."

"Wow you're smarter than you look"

"Nah I just slapped some random shit I read together."

After a good laugh, I patted him on the back. "We should head back now but hey man. Just so you know, I'm not the best type of person, never was, but what I can say is say you are one of the best people out there Tatsumi"

"Nonsense. You are one of the nicest guys I've ever met."

I felt a dark look pass over my face. "Tatsumi...if I could promise you and your friend's lives...would you take them?"

"What do you mean?"

"If in theory I could bring souls back from the dead, and I offered to bring them back for you...would you say yes?"

"In a heartbeat man!"

"Even if them staying alive isn't guaranteed. Even if I saw some of the future and know that if I bring them back I could change it. It could end up worse."

"Well, when you put it that way...I guess not"

"So you don't want your friends back?"

"That's not what I meant!"

"Tatsumi...I'm going to tell you something...You can't tell anyone about this"

"What is it? Why are you trusting me with this?"

You seem to have some sort of plot armor

"Because I know, you will live longer than most of us here"

"How do you know that?"

"I'm the Grim Reaper. I normally know when someone is going to die."

"oh right"

"What I'm going to tell you is that I have a trump card...Tatsumi it allows me to reverse death and destruction that has happened in my lifetime."

"That's-"

"Insane?"

"Fucking awesome! Is there a limit to how many times you can use it or something, that's why you haven't used it?"

"No...There is a heavy toll. If I use it, I lose all my senses and I got through pain that things that were destroyed or people that died felt before they died."

"Oh, man..."

"I haven't used it to save my sister because I don't want her to come back into this corrupt world and risk her dying again so soon. And now I got to save your friends and everyone who dies here"

"Couldn't you reverse the effects by using it again right after"

"I could, assuming I survive using it"

I patted him on the shoulder and lifted him off the ground. "Come on, I got a bad feeling for tomorrow. I'll take over your training at some point ok?"

"Sounds awesome"

As we were walking I stopped. There was something I needed to know. "Tatsumi...I need to check something...No homo man"

"Wait..No homo?" He asked as I hugged him. Suddenly images flew into my mind that were not all that pleasing.