A Flight of a Thousand Miles

The Fifth Mile

Out of all of Night Raid's members, Akame was by far the most mysterious one. She and Run never really talked that much, even when both were in the kitchen preparing dinner. Run didn't really take it to heart, he guessed it was just in her character. That's why he was determined to find out more about her, anything really.

"So," he started. They were already walking in the dense forest surrounding headquarters, Akame in the lead. "What are we hunting exactly? And why are you here, Lubbock?" When he had met up with Akame, he found out that Lubbock was also there, which puzzled him. The green haired boy turned back at him.

"Oh, right," Lubbock said,"sometimes I forget you're new here. I usually come along because I can tell Akame exactly where the Danger Beasts are, because I've kind of had a few close shaves setting my wires up every now and then. I usually step out after we've located them though, animals tend not to mix well with me." Run nodded.

"Okay, that's good to know." He looked up ahead. "Oi, Akame-"

She was already five hundred feet away from them. Five. Hundred. Feet. Was she even human?! Lubbock saw it too.

"Crap!" He said, scrambling to catch up,"Not again dammit, DONT LEAVE ME BEHIND! I HAVE TO SHOW YOU THE WAY!" She didn't hear him of course. Run sighed, if she didn't stop they would lose her. Man, food really motivated her, she was going based solely on her instincts, and Run wondered if they really needed Lubbock. He cupped his hands to his mouth. "OI! AKAME!" She stopped and turned back, obviously oblivious to the problem of them being so far apart.

"Yeah?"

"SLOW DOWN PLEASE! ME AND LUBBOCK AREN'T AS FAST AS YOU!" Her eyes lit up, as if now realizing it was a problem.

"Oh," she simply stated. She really didn't talk much, did she?

They finally caught up, and the trio continued on their merry way. Thirty minutes later, Lubbock announced they had arrived. He turned back the way the came.

"Well, looks like I'm done here. You know the way back, right Akame?" Akame nodded furiously.

"I promise I won't waste this opportunity!" Lubbock nodded.

"Trust me, we'll all be waiting with lots of anticipation," he turned to Run. "Good luck." Run nodded.

"Likewise, try not to get eaten by a wild animal on your way back, will you?"

"You bet- HEY," Luboock said,"I take back what I said a few seconds ago." Run chuckled.

"Don't worry, I don't think I'll need it anyway." Lubbock huffed.

"Well, guess we'll find out then, huh?"

"I suppose we shall." And then Lubbock was gone, leaving Run and Akame by themselves. Run clapped his hands together, now back to the objective: finding out things about Akame. He turned to the girl, who was already looking over the landscape.

"Well then, shall we start?" Akame nodded.

"It's close."

"Really?" Run didn't see or sense anything around, save for a few stray animals, but they didn't seem to be Akame's objective. Which made him question for the first time what they were actually hunting. "Um, what are we looking for exactly?"

"Taboo Frogs," Akame said casually. Run blinked.

"What?"

"Taboo Frogs," Akame repeated.

"No no, I got that, but I didn't realize we were hunting danger beasts. I thought we were just going to hunt regular animals." Akame nodded.

"Usually, that would be the case, but it's rare for taboo frogs to pass through here. Their legs are well known for being a delicacy however, so when Lubbock told me, I jumped on the chance."