Meet Death - Chapter 1
Title: Meet Death
Author: Aisu
Rating: PG (for now)
Pairing: Akame
Disclaimer: We don't own Akame.
Summary: While Kazuya fights a losing battle for his life, a strange figure appears just as his heart beats for what should have been the last time. Introducing himself as Death, Kazuya is bound to the figure that brought him back from the dead.

[ 00 ]


CHAPTER 1

Kazuya was released from the hospital the same day he had been rushed in. However, it wasn't without some reluctance that the doctor finally gave the okay for him to leave; he was still trying to figure out how Kazuya had 'cheated' death. Stepping out of the facility, Kazuya glanced upwards at the setting sun. He was so thankful to be able to take in such a natural beauty for just one day more. After assuring and reassuring his family that he truly was alright, Kazuya was left alone to walk home. Although they had insisted he let them at least drive him home so they knew he was safe for sure, Kazuya was determined, and in the end his family could not go against his wish. He wanted to clear his mind and think over things while he took a nice stroll back to his apartment.

So of course, the first thing he thought about was the strange figure introducing himself as Death. Had he been imagining things? Death comes in the form of a beautiful dark-haired man? "Ridiculous," Kazuya thought. Right after the mysterious visitor had introduced himself, he had vanished the second Kazuya blinked his eyes; disappearing as quickly as he had appeared. Just what had happened in that room? Why was he still alive? When Kazuya awoke with a sudden gasp, it felt as though he were revitalized, and possibly in better condition than before his accident.

"Death..." Kazuya casually mumbled the title to himself, staring down at his feet as he placed one in front of the other, "But if he's Death, shouldn't he have taken my life instead of granting it? How does Death revive the dead anyways? Isn't he just supposed to like... take the souls of the dead and... whatever...?" he speculated based on the works of fiction he had come across over the years. "Ahhh, I don't know what I'm talking about." Kazuya concluded as he shook his head thinking all his thoughts concerning the subject would just drain out.

Hoping it would help to ease his mind, Kazuya looked up from the pavement to view the sunset only to come to an immediate halt. In the distance was a silhouetted figure all too familiar. Kazuya blinked a few times before bringing his hands to his eyes, rubbing them in attempt to rid his vision of any illusions they might have been creating. He had just endured a near death experience, this was normal... or so he thought.

As Kazuya opened his eyes once again, the figure was nowhere to be seen. He took a deep breath before continuing his walk at a brisk pace. "Just get home as quickly as you can..." he thought before he was robbed of his eyesight. Someone was standing directly behind him, their hands over his face.

"Guess who."

Instantly, Kazuya broke away from the other individual. The tone in which the statement had been voiced was anything but foreign. It was a very unique voice; deep, sonorous, and full of mystery. After taking a few steps further to ensure he wasn't within the other's reach, Kazuya turned around and gazed at the beautiful man.

"Who the hell are you?!" he shouted in frustration, not knowing what to believe anymore. Obviously the man was real, Kazuya had felt his touch seconds earlier. He was tangible, not some figment of his imagination. "Wasn't he just standing much further from this spot, though? How did he end up behind me?!" the thoughts ran through Kazuya's mind along with several others.

The man slumped his shoulders, a pout accompanying his now disappointed mood, "You've forgotten me already? I introduced myself to you back in that room," he spoke again, though it was in a completely different tone; normal-sounding, almost.

Kazuya stood his ground, staring at the other with indifference, "Is this man crazy? Should I take him to get some help?" he silently made suggestions to himself before deciding to reconfirm, "You," Kazuya started, raising a hand to point his index finger at the other man, "Are Death?" he clearly enunciated each word.

As if pondering the question, the man, or, Death, furrowed his brows and looked upwards, "Yes." he confirmed with a several little nods, re-establishing eye-contact with the younger man.

"And you're supposed to free souls and the like?" Kazuya further questioned.

"Uhhhh~ huh." a small smile graced the man's face as he easily affirmed each one of Kazuya's queries; a little too easy to Kazuya's liking.

"I'm going to bed." came the immediate reply as Kazuya took off in the direction of his apartment.

"Woah, woah, woah," Death blurted out, trying to get Kazuya to stop, and in the process magically materializing in front of the young man.

"WHAT THE-" jumping back wide-eyed in horror, Kazuya glanced at Death before looking behind him where the man should have been. "HOW DID YOU DO THAT?!" he demanded.

"That's for me to know." Death smirked, "Why do you look so surprised, though? How did you think I travelled from one place in the world to another collecting souls?" he asked with much puzzlement on his face.

"You may not realize this, BUT IT'S NOT EVERYDAY I SEE PEOPLE MATERIALIZE RIGHT BEFORE MY EYES." Kazuya stated what he thought to be the obvious, along with thinking, "How can Death be such a dumbass? Shouldn't supernatural entities be all-knowing or something?"

Death opened his mouth to vocalize a simple, "Oh." in response.

Kazuya had had enough and spun around to continue his walk, though he had a feeling he wouldn't be getting anywhere too soon.

"Ooooooi~ Let's not be hasty, calm down," Death attempted to halt Kazuya's insisted walk, knowing that he would not listen and leave him no other choice.

"WILL YOU STOP THAT?!" the young man screamed as Death appeared in front of his path once more, and not without a fright, "And what do you mean calm down?! Listen, I've just had a near-death experience,"

"You still are having a 'near Death' experience..." the man murmered as Kazuya rambled on without pause.

"And now I have a crazed man claiming that he's Death, and he's popping up out of thin air, and you say 'calm down'?!" the young man concluded his rant by taking in a much needed breath of air. "This is ridiculous." he voiced his thought as if to assure himself.

"Kazuya."

"AND STOP CHANGING YOUR VOICE LIKE THAT!" he ordered, a smirk gracing the other's face.

Standing in silence, Death decided to give Kazuya some time to catch his breath and get used to the idea of conversing with him. In truth, Death himself was still familiarizing himself with what was occuring. He was supposed to have taken Kazuya's soul, but upon seeing the beautiful young man, and in the middle of the soul-taking process, he had come back to life. Taking note that Kazuya appeared less tense, he began to speak again.

"The reason I am here is to speak with you about our contract," Death explained in a completely serious voice, greatly contrasting with the side of him he had displayed prior.

It took a while for the younger man to formulate a response as he stood staring incredulously at the latter, "What contract?" he asked irritably, more to himself than the other. The fact that he wouldn't be able to get this so-called Death to stop pestering him was starting to sink in, and so Kazuya walked over to a nearby bench, sitting upon it indian-style like a young child. Looking wearily at the other man, he raised both of his hands and started to wave them back and forth, "Out with it. Might as well get this over with." he sighed.

Walking over to a pole close by the bench, Death propped himself up against it, looking down at Kazuya before continuing, "Your soul has been bound to mine in exchange for a second chance at life," he began, only to be interrupted.

"Wait, wait, wait," Kazuya insisted, raising his hands once more signaling the latter to stop, "Who said I even wanted a second chance at life? Do you always walk around deciding things for other people? What if I was finally successful in a suicide attempt? Then what?"

"Your Death Report didn't mention anything about suicide," Death countered, "And who in their right mind complains about being offered a second chance to live?" he raised a brow.

"Key phrase here, Death buddy. In. Their. Right. Mind. " Kazuya repeated, separating each word with a breath. "Which obviously I'm not, today..." he mumbled. "And what's that about a Death Report?!"

"You can ask questions later, just let me get to the contract... Don't call me Death, either." the man added as an afterthought.

"Right, then. What would you prefer to be called? The Grim Reaper?"

The man called Death looked offended at the other's suggestion. "That's too common a misconception. Death and the Grim Reaper are two COMPLETELY different people." he made sure the emphasize the word 'completely' with utmost importance. "Call me Jin."

"Jin? Why Jin?" Kazuya asked, wondering if the name had some sort of significance.

"That was my name... I didn't always used to be like this, you know." the man's expression instantly became sullen, a somber smile gracing his lips. "But anyways, the contract."

Kazuya sat anticipating what was in store for him. "What if this all isn't some joke? What if it really is real?" he thought, wondering whether or not he'd really want to be alive after hearing this 'contract'.

"Your soul has been bound to mine in exchange for a second chance at life," Death, or Jin as he now preferred, started once more while ignoring the expression on Kazuya's face reading, "You already said that.", and resuming the next part of the explanation, "If you wish to accept this contract, then you shall go on living, but you will also have to answer to my beck and call for whatever purpose I may need you. Currently, that purpose would be helping to familiarize me with the world of the living. If you wish to decline this contract, or you choose to disobey my command, then your soul will be banished from this place and you will be no more." he finished, leaving Kazuya speechless.

Going through Jin's ramble in his head, Kazuya came to the conclusion that this whole situation was indeed quite ridiculous. "...I can go and sleep now, right?" he asked, Jin staring back at him with a grave face. "Do you really expect me to believe all of this? I mean, your vanishing act is amazing, I'll credit you for that. I still don't know how you did it. You got the nurses back there to play along with you too, didn't you? But in all seriousness, this just isn't logical." the young man stood from the bench about to bid farewell to his brief acquaintance.

"This is as real as it gets," Jin replied before walking over Kazuya.

Waiting to see what this seemingly ordinary man would do, Kazuya remained still as Jin reached out a hand to lay it on the left side of his face, the latter only raising a brow in question. Seconds after, the man's touch disappeared as he swept his hand through Kazuya's face ending up on the opposite side. He then smacked Kazuya upside his head for doubting everything he had explained.

"I will never doubt again?" he questioned sarcastically as he rubbed his abused head.

"Unbelievable," Jin commented, "I was hoping I wouldn't have to resort to this." he stated as he drew closer to the younger man, leaning in to whisper into his ear.

Kazuya's eyes began to widen, and his face took on a rosy hue. "Th-That's not uncommon, I would think..." he stuttered.

Jin smirked, knowing he now had the other.

>>Chapter 02