(3rd Person, four years ago after (Y/N) (L/N) escaped from prison for the first time)
The prisoner opened his eyes slowly, blinking away the sleep and looked around immediately as he didn't recognise where he was: wooden ceiling, a single window with the sun shining through it brightly and almost blinding him, a soft bed that felt like it was a royal bed. Not only that, but there was even a small table next to the bed with a mug of water on it next to half a piece of bread.
(Y/N): That was quick, I didn't think I'd be found by the Empire so quickly, guess I need to smarten up.
The sixteen-year-old threw his legs over the bed, planting his bare feet on the wooden floor where it was slightly warm but at the same time slightly cold. Once he got to his feet, (Y/N) walked over to the window and spotted a rather thick forest in front of him, he hummed as he spotted a little girl with white hair running outside the house while a woman with long white hair plays with her.
(Y/N): The people who captured me no doubt... now to find a way out before they...
Before he could finish that sentence, (Y/N) was cut off by the door opening, he slowly turned and saw a man with short black hair and silver eyes staring at him with both a shocked and relieved expression.
???: You're awake, that's good. We were worried your fever would've killed you while you were sleeping.
(Y/N): Fever...?
Suddenly, (Y/N) felt something warm slide off his forehead and onto the floor. He slowly looked down and saw a small and battered cloth dripping with water, at the same time he felt the water drip down his forehead which made him wipe it and look at his now soaked hand.
(Y/N): I don't remember getting a fever...
???: Well, that's normal, a fever is usually something nobody remembers. But when we found you in the woods, you were burning up and close to knocking on death's door... oh and we thought it would be disrespectful to remove your clothes so you might want to get out of those, you're probably sweaty... we have a tub that'll help you with showering yourself.
The man left the room after picking up the cloth, (Y/N) turned back to looking outside and saw the mother and daughter duo playing once again, he couldn't help but think if they really were helping him, or if it was a ruse.
(Y/N): Guess I'll find out for myself...
(Timeskip)
Inside the small room, (Y/N) was currently washing himself up by pouring a small basin filled with water over himself, meanwhile his clothes were tucked away beside him, making sure no one went for the clothes. Suddenly, someone entered the room, but (Y/N) didn't really care as he kept washing himself... that was until he heard fabric being folded which made him instantly grab the person's arm.
The woman with white hair jumped, she saw that her arm was being held by (Y/N) and looked over at him confusedly.
(Y/N): Don't... it's best if you leave my clothes alone.
???: Nonesense, your clothes reek of sweat and you cannot wear such dirty clothes.
(Y/N): For your own safety... don't pick up my clothes again, you can wash the coat, but not the clothes.
To (Y/N)'s surprise, the woman didn't listen, instead grabbing his clothes after releasing herself from his grip and walking off with the clothes in hand.
???: You must learn when to accept help, and yes, we are all aware of who you are Mr Two. However, don't think that means we will turn you away young man, you look like you're only in school and yet a prisoner? The Empire really is a crooked thing, isn't it?
The woman left the room, (Y/N) however was confused at what she called him.
(Y/N): Mr Two...? Oh, right, I am Prisoner number Two after all... maybe she didn't know my name and instead is calling me by my inmate number.
Pushing the thoughts aside, (Y/N) continued to bathe himself while occasionally scrubbing his hair to get the suds out. He sighed and sat up from the small pot that was the bathtub and then walked over to what seemed to be the towel, it was the exact same cloth that he had on his head earlier.
(Y/N): How fast can they wash and dry?
Nevertheless, he uses the towel to dry himself off, but as he rubs his hair the door opens again, this time its the father holding a pile of fresh clothes.
???: When you're done, you can put these clothes on. After that, my wife has prepared food for everyone, don't be shy to join us in the dining area.
(Y/N) couldn't even get a word in as the father exited straight after setting the clothes down, (Y/N) blinked slightly before sighing and placing the towel back on the rack he found it. He walked over and picked up the clothing, but quickly noticed they weren't his clothes, rather they were what appeared to be second-hand clothing all beat up and slightly torn.
(Y/N): Why are they...?
The boy had no choice since he donned the clothing, a bit snug but it was ok since he had a thin frame. Thanks to that thin frame he was able to fit the clothing as if they were for lounging around and at the same time not stretching them out should he have a more muscular body.
Once he wore the clothing, (Y/N) made his way out the small room and found himself in the hallway, he quickly saw light while also hearing voices which spoke in a delighted tone of voice, it made (Y/N) move into yet another small room where the family sat around the table, smiling and laughing with each other as they ate their food which seemed to be a small slab of meat with slightly rotting potatoes and mashed vegetables.
When (Y/N) entered the room, the smiling and laughing ceased causing him to immediately think of himself as a hindrance when all three started to stare at him curiously. So, with a sigh through his nose, he walked over and picked up the fourth plate obviously meant for him.
(Y/N): Thanks for the food, it wasn't necessary though.
And then began to walk out... but it was as if he couldn't move suddenly, (Y/N) looked around using his eyes, however every other part of his body was stuck, (Y/N) could hear the sighs from the adults before they both chuckled.
???: It seems Juniper wants you to stay, so please, don't try to leave.
Then, (Y/N) regained feeling back in his limbs. He turned and saw the little girl giving him a rather deep glare while the parents were smiling in amusement... (Y/N) cautiously walked over, and then took a seat in front of Juniper who immediately let up on her glare as she turned to her family with a small pleading look.
???: Ok sweetheart, we can begin now.
Almost instantly, the little girl was using her hands to dig into her food which made (Y/N) look over at the parents to see them too digging into their food with their hands, blinking twice, (Y/N) turned back to his food and shrugged before he copied the family's actions.
(Y/N): They must be poor... well, it's obvious they are considering their shower is a pot of water, they don't have eating utensils and the clothes they wear look like they're about to fall apart, not to mention that sweat towel also became an actual towel... they shouldn't be wasting this stuff on me if they're so poor.
???: Oh my gosh, we never introduced ourselves did we? How rude of us, well, my name is Frank, that's my wife Michelle and this is our lovely daughter Juniper, my wife says your name is Mr Two?
(Y/N): That's the number on my shirt, it's not a name tag, it's an inmate number.
Juniper: Inmate, number? What's that?
(Y/N): It means I'm a bad guy, the second bad guy apparently since I'm not bad enough to be number one.
Juniper: But... you don't look like a bad guy.
(Y/N): Bad guys can trick you with their appearance, I may look young and good, but I'm a prisoner.
Michelle: What were you locked away for? Surely a child of your age...
(Y/N): That's the thing, I got no idea. I think I've got amnesia or something, after all, my earliest memory was three weeks ago when I first woke up in prison, I was not sure why I was there. But apparently according to whoever I talked to, prisoner or guard the crime I committed was considered punishable by death but since I was so young, I'd only be in for three years.
Frank: Wha-!? But that would mean...
(Y/N): Exactly, they're making sure by the time my sentence ends I'll be old enough and they'll enact the death penalty the minute I turn eighteen.
Michelle: That's cruel! Why would they... shouldn't they have let you go since you lost your memory!?
(Y/N): They don't believe I lost my memory, besides, even if a criminal were to forget what he did, it doesn't change the fact he needs to be punished for his crimes.
The rest of the time was spent in silence and eating the dinner, the mood changing from warm to depressing, although the only two unaffected seemed to be Juniper and (Y/N). By the time the meal was finished, (Y/N) stood up and began to walk off.
(Y/N): I thank you for the meal and clothing, now all that's left is to return these clothes and be on my way after you give me my clothes back.
Michelle: That's... the thing... see, that prisoner outfit of yours was really, really dirty. And the fact is, it still needs to be washed, and I will not let you go back out there in your clothing in trouble like this. So, you will need to stay the night... maybe even the week since as you know, our way of washing is old-fashioned.
Another sigh escaped (Y/N)'s mouth, but he didn't question it as he walked off, and to the parents' surprise, Juniper ran after the boy as the two of them went upstairs.
Frank: She's taken an interest in him...
Michelle: Well, what do you expect? He's the first person closer to her age than we are that she's met, she'll turn eight tomorrow but she still looks like a five-year-old.
Frank: That's not my fault...
Michelle: Oh yeah? Mr shorter than an average adult?
The two chuckled at that, while Michelle decided to take the dishes and place them in their barely functioning sink to wash. Meanwhile, up the stairs, (Y/N) kept entering room after room with Juniper following him every step, until finally he came to what seemed to be the parents' room and turned to face her.
(Y/N): Would you stop following me? I'm a stranger, you shouldn't get near a bad guy like me.
Juniper: But you don't look like a bad guy.
(Y/N): Appearances...
Juniper: Can be tricky.
(Y/N): It's deceiving, not tricky.
Juniper: What does deceiving mean?
(Y/N): It's another word for tricking someone.
Juniper: So I was right when I said tricky.
(Y/N): In a way.
(Y/N) attempted to leave the room, but Juniper blocked his path, looking at him with a confused look.
Juniper: You say you're a bad guy, but you haven't tricked us. So, doesn't that make you a good guy?
(Y/N): No, being a bad guy's not all about tricking people, you could be called a bad guy for different reasons, like mine, I may not be tricking people. But I'm still a bad guy since I went to prison for it after all.
Juniper: But, you don't know why you're in prison, right?
(Y/N): What about it?
Juniper: Until you give me a real reason why you went to prison, you'll be a good guy, ok?
(Y/N): Why?
Juniper: Because you don't have a real reason to call yourself a bad guy, so that makes you a good guy.
(Y/N): Can't I just be the neutral guy?
Juniper: What's neutral?
(Y/N): Neither good nor bad, and you don't stick to being one or the other.
Juniper: But... that would make you a bad guy since you don't want to choose what you want to be.
Tired, (Y/N) just sighed and exited past Juniper who pouted at her attempt of stopping (Y/N) from leaving the room failing. As (Y/N) came into the hallway, he turned his head to see both Frank and Michelle coming up the stairs.
Frank: Oh, right, that room you woke up in is where you can sleep, is that ok?
(Y/N): I was originally planning on going into the forest to sleep, perhaps find a tree to sleep in.
Michelle: No, absolutely not! I will not allow a young boy such as yourself to stay in the woods all by yourself! Young man, you will sleep in that room or so help me I shall tie you to the bed myself to keep you there.
(Y/N): Ok... just don't resort to violence, ok?
With a nod, the two parents went into the room (Y/N) came out of while (Y/N) walked down the hall to the room he stayed in before, neither party saw Juniper head into the same room (Y/N) went into... that was until (Y/N) heard the door shut without him doing so, he turned to see Juniper standing in the doorway, a confused look on her face.
Juniper: Why would you want to sleep in the forest? The forest is scary at night, there might be monsters out there.
(Y/N): Yeah, there are monsters in the forest, not just in the night either. But, it's where I live, I even made my own home there, kind of small, but I'd say this house is better. I would go into the forest, but the only reason why I'm here is because your mother is scary.
Without another word, Juniper turned and walked out of the room which made (Y/N) shrug his shoulders before he planted himself on the bed and fell asleep instantly.
(Timeskip)
It was still dark, that much (Y/N) knew as he slowly opened his eyes again... only this time he could hear the panicked shouts of Frank and Michelle, (Y/N) rubbed his eyes, ridding his eyelids of the crust as he headed to the door and opened it. Only to see both Frank and Michelle arguing but at the same time worried, they turned to (Y/N) who blinked as his response.
Michelle: Sorry for waking you, Mr Two, it's nothing to be concerned about... please go back to sleep.
(Y/N): Ok...
He quickly shut the door again, but before he went back to bed, he stopped to hear what they were discussing.
Michelle: I looked in her room, in the garden, even that secret spot she has at the edge of the house and she's not there! Frank... what if she was...
Frank: I know he's a prisoner, but we must not jump to conclusions, besides, the boy went into his own room and you took Juniper to hers... we'll find her, don't worry...
They were interrupted by the door opening again, this time (Y/N) walked down the stairs, grabbing the coat that he had before which was meant for washing before heading to the front door.
Michelle: Mr Two?
(Y/N): I'm heading out, I'll be back soon, you guys have my clothes after all.
Frank was confused at hearing that as (Y/N) exited, however, Michelle couldn't help but grow a relieved smile, knowing exactly what his true intentions were. Meanwhile, in the forest, (Y/N) walked through the dark playground for animals, his senses slightly on alert as he went into his coat's pocket and pulled out a bunch of thin strings almost invisible to the eye.
He quickly tossed a few strings left and right, placing the parts he held between his fingers as he quickly stood still while allowing the strings to roll away, catching themselves on trees or bushes. After a while, he hummed and pulled the strings back to him before walking to the left and bending down, spotting a set of tiny footprints in the spotlight of the bright moon.
(Y/N): She's still nearby, which means she didn't leave that while ago, she probably just left, luckily her parents were awake, they probably heard a noise... most likely the door closing and went to check, only to be distracted by the fact she was gone... they were looking in the wrong places.
(Y/N) walked through the forest, occasionally using his strings while following the footprints for what felt like half an hour before he suddenly saw the footprints stop. He blinked twice before slowly looking around.
(Y/N): The dirt here's moist after a recent shower of rain, there's no way she wouldn't leave footprints behind... but where...?
The sound of a twig snapping caught his attention, he quickly looked up, only to see a body flying towards him. Out of instinct, he caught the body in his arms and saw a bewildered Juniper looking at him.
(Y/N): Is freefalling and treeclimbing a hobby of yours by chance?
Juniper: Mr, Two? What are you doing here?
(Y/N): You know what I'm doing here.
Juniper: I'm sorry...
(Y/N): You shouldn't apologise to me, I couldn't care less if anything bad happened to you, I just knew I wouldn't be able to sleep if your parents kept running around looking for you.
Juniper: But, you could've not looked for me... that just shows you really are a good guy.
(Y/N): I'm not a good guy.
Juniper: Well you can't be a bad guy either.
(Y/N): Neutral?
Juniper: That makes you a bad guy also...
(Y/N): Huh... so what does that make me?
Juniper: I dunno, I say you're a good guy, but you say you're a bad guy. Maybe if we...
(Y/N) quickly covered the girl's mouth, hiding her behind a tree while he silently gestured for her to climb up. (Y/N) could hear the sounds of footsteps, he silently and quickly threw his strings around and hid his hands behind his back while holding the strings between his fingers. Suddenly, a group of what appeared to be thugs appeared with their weapons drawn, big smiles as they quickly surrounded the teenager.
Thug 1: Thought that voice was familiar... you're the newly escaped prisoner, aren't you?
(Y/N): Prisoner Two at your service, although the one thing I can't do for you is return to prison, or die, actually there seems to be a lot of things I can't do for you all.
Thug 2: They said you were a wise guy, but they didn't say being a wise guy's an annoying thing. So, Mr Wise Guy, mind toning down your tone?
(Y/N): I'm no wise guy, I'm just a bad guy who went to prison.
Thug 3: Is that right? Well then, 'bad guy' hope you don't mind if we kill ya and drag your carcass back to the Empire, there's a bounty for you after all, dead or alive.
(Y/N): I would mind if you did that actually, after all, I already said you can't kill me so...
Trying to take the male by surprise, the sword-wielding thugs quickly charged for him, but (Y/N) pulled on the strings using his fingers, their arms were caught, their bodies spread and their weapons dropped to the floor.
(Y/N): Listen when someone's talking please, that's so rude of you.
(Y/N) pulled tighter on the strings, causing the strings to start strangling the thugs, their windpipes being cut off before their faces turned blue and they quickly passed out. (Y/N) immediately released them, causing the unconscious thugs to plop to the ground.
(Y/N): See, Juniper? I'm a bad guy.
Juniper: Nope...
(Y/N) looked up, only to quickly hold his arms out as Juniper decided to jump this time and land straight in (Y/N)'s arms.
Juniper: A bad guy would've killed those nasty men, but you didn't, you're not even going to steal their things. You really are a good guy Mr Two.
(Y/N): Just call me (Y/N), Two is just the number on my uniform, nothing else.
Juniper: (Y/N)? That's a really funny name.
(Y/N): So's Juniper.
Juniper let out a fit of giggles while letting herself down, looking up at (Y/N) with a delightful smile.
Juniper: It is, isn't it? Hey, (Y/N), can we go home?
(Y/N): That's what I'm here to do.
Juniper: Well... the forest is dark and scary.
(Y/N): What do you want to do about it?
Juniper: Well... Mama always said that whenever someplace was too dark and scary that the only way to make it a nice place was by holding the hand of someone you really, really like.
(Y/N): Huh... well, if you wait here I'll bring your parents.
To (Y/N)'s slight surprise however, she just held out her tiny hand, a small smile on her face.
Juniper: Even though we've only talked three times today, I really like you (Y/N). I can always tell when someone's a good guy or a bad guy, so... please hold my hand and help me through the dark.
(Y/N): Ok... if that's what you want.
The teenager took the girl's hand and proceeded to lead her back to safety, all the while the girl has a small smile on her face while occasionally looking up at (Y/N) who only looked ahead blankly.
(Timeskip)
Frank: Thank you so much Mr Two, you have no idea how big of a deal this was to us, thanks to you she's back home safely... oh, my wife says that as thanks she'll work through the night to wash your clothes, you could leave be tomorrow if you wanted.
(Y/N) and Frank were watching over Juniper as she slept in her mediocre bed, (Y/N) looked around at the room, noting all the creaks, cracks and rotten wooden boards in the room. He sighed, placing a hand on his hip and glancing over at Frank.
(Y/N): Do you and your wife work, Frank?
Frank: Well... I work in a bakery in the Empire while my wife stays at home to look after Juniper, we sometimes don't earn much because some days I'll need to skip work thanks to the forest being so dangerous thanks to the number of danger beasts increasing, why?
(Y/N): I know a way to improve your home, your food, your wealth. Just give me at least a year and I'll make everything better, think of this as repaying you for looking after me when I was about to die.
Frank: Heh... I thank you for your kindness but... it won't matter.
Frank suddenly pulled down his shirt and (Y/N) saw a rather nasty black mark on his chest which seemed to be located right at his heart.
Frank: Our family is special, Mr Two. We gain special abilities, but in return we suffer a rather disastrous consequence in using our ability too much. This has been growing on me ever since I was born... there's a cure the Empire created back when my Grandfather was around, but... it's much too expensive for us, by the time you rack up the money, we'll be dead.
(Y/N): I see...
Frank: If you really want to repay our debt, then please... listen up.
Frank suddenly went straight to the floor, bowing his head as Michelle watched silently from the stairs.
Frank: Our daughter's a bright and cheerful young lady, her two special abilities are the ability to move things with her mind and the ability to tell if a person's heart is good or bad. And, it seems she trusts you thanks to knowing how good your heart is, my wife and I will deteriorate by the time you do anything to help us. But Juniper can still be saved, I want you... to make me a promise, and promise me that when our time comes, when we are no longer around to help her. That you, (Y/N) (L/N) will look after Juniper, raise her as your own and cure her of her curse. I beg of you... please don't let my daughter follow our paths! Please allow her to live a normal and healthy life as we always wished her to!
Michelle couldn't help but run over, tears in her eyes as she too got into the bowing position, begging the same thing as Frank. (Y/N) stood there, hands in his pockets as he blankly stared down at them... then slowly turned to the sleeping Juniper. He then without a word walked past them and into their room much to the parents' confusion. A minute later he walked back out wearing his usual clothing and proceeded down the stairs, the parents following him the whole way.
(Y/N): I'd say the amount I'd need would be over a million, it would be enough for me to hide safely in the woods, away from the eye of the Government. Your daughter... will become over the age of ten by the time everything's ready... are you willing to wait that long?
Again, the two parents fell to their knees, bowing their heads with fresh tears running down their faces.
Frank + Michelle: Thank you so very much! Mr Two!
Nodding, (Y/N) opened the door and finally left the house while looking up at the moon.
(Y/N): Two... huh?
What he failed to see, was a smiling Juniper waving him farewell from her window.
(Current day)
Leone: Wow...
Akame: So the promise...
(Y/N): Until Juniper becomes a suitable age, I'll look after the kid.
Tatsumi: Frank and Michelle?
(Y/N): They succumbed to their curse a year ago, Juniper had to live in her home all alone for a whole year, relying on the food I brought in every now and then. I had to force her to stay in that house until I could earn enough for a real one.
Najenda: So... all this time, you were never stealing money for yourself. But rather to repay a debt back when you first escaped from prison?
(Y/N): If Frank and Michelle had never taken me in and cared for my fever, I wouldn't be standing here talking to you all today. I owe them more than just a favour, and... it's not so bad looking after the brat.
Juniper punched (Y/N)'s arm, making him pat the girl on the head.
(Y/N): Really, what I've been doing for the past month is looking after Juniper, I wanted to make enough money so that her parents could be helped as well but...
Shelee: So... the c-c-c-curse...?
To answer their question, (Y/N) rolled Juniper's sleeve up, showing the dark lines on her arm.
(Y/N): It started about three weeks ago, that... was the third condition that I asked for from Prime Minister Honest... to distribute a cure for her and...
The ex-prisoner walked over to a small chest in the corner and opened it to reveal a vial of clear liquid.
(Y/N): It's a dangerous substance though, I can only give a little bit to her every day, any more and her organs will fail to work and she'll die. But they told me that the cure will be consumed completely in a year.
Najenda: Little girl... no, Juniper. Your family's name wouldn't happen to be Moc, would it?
Juniper immediately nods, causing everyone but (Y/N) to gasp in shock.
Najenda: That explains her family's situation... the Moc family have gone through countless centuries of their sons and daughters gaining unusual powers, it's what inspired teigu. Although, it was said in the legends that a great witch cast a curse on the family after one member killed her husband, their curse was they could keep their great powers, but the more they used it, the more corrupted their hearts would become.
Tatsumi: Looks like they meant that literally...
Mine: Heh... so you weren't a bad guy after all, huh?
(Y/N): Nope, I'm still a bad guy.
Juniper: No! You're a good guy! My ability says so!
Akame: He's neither a good guy, a bad guy... or a neutral guy.
Leone: He's just an idiot.
Akame: That too, but (Y/N) is a caring guy.
(Y/N): Nope...
Tatsumi: Oh shut up and take the compliment idiot.
For the first time, ever since (Y/N) woke up in prison... he cracked an amused smile which caused a massive uproar in the house which took hours to quieten down.
(With Esdeath)
Esdeath had the Prime Minister by his collar, gripping it tightly as the white-haired man stared at the woman in fear.
Esdeath: Where is he!?
Honest: I only dropped his charges! I have no idea where...
The Prime Minister went wide-eyed as he felt ice start to creep up his stomach and up to his neck, Esdeath's eyes spelt anger and promises of pain if he were to lie again.
Esdeath: I will only ask you this one... last... time... where is my husband?
To be continued........ In Part 2.
(A/N): That's it! It's done! It's dusted... archive it because the first part of the Akame Ga Kill story is over!!! Part 2 will come out sometime in the future but who knows? Not even I do! Haha! Oh! And as for what will happen on my profile next: it's a highly demanded one that I haven't even touched ever since December of last year:
Boku no Hero Academia Volume 2!!! We'll be back to seeing our mute boy with quite the nasty glare... anyways, thank you guys and gals so much for the awesome continued support and as always... eat one or more brownies every day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!