Chapter 2: Downpour

Morning came and all of Night Raid's members gathered in the council hall.

"As you all know, we were fortunate to get Tatsumi back from Esdeath," Najenda informed, as she lit a cigarette and puffed at it.

"Is something wrong?" Leone asked.

Najenda closed her eyes as smoke left her mouth. "I've been hearing rumors of another general returning to the capital," she answered.

"Another general?" Akame questioned.

Najenda nodded and held the cigarette. "He was the man who was leading the armies in the southwestern region. I've never met him but...I do know he's good friends with Esdeath," she informed.

"So what does that mean?" Tatsumi asked.

Najenda opened her eyes and gazed over at him. "It possibly means that he will be helping Esdeath," she answered.

"Do we know which Imperial Arms he wields?" Mine asked.

Najenda shrugged and replied, "Like I said, I haven't met him before but…keep a look out for his face,"

She took a piece of paper from her pocket and handed it to Leone. It revealed a sketch of a smiling, thin-face man. The group gathered around to look at the picture and sat in silence for a few moments.

"Everybody be careful," Najenda said.

The rest of the group dispersed except for Tatsumi who glared at the picture.

Raikou walked down the streets of the capital in casual wear. The common people stared at him as he walked.

"Isn't he a noble?" someone asked. "He can't be…look at his clothes," another answered.

Raikou gave a slight smile as he heard the comments. Two of his guards walked behind him.

"Sir, are you sure you should be walking outside like that?" one asked.

Raikou shrugged and asked "Why not?"

"Well…people are giving you dirty looks," the guard answered.

Raikou turned to face his guardsmen. "I was a commoner once…did you know that?" he asked.

The guardsman shook his head. "N-no sir," he answered.

Raikou put his hand on the man's shoulder. "I will always be a commoner before a noble or a general," he said, with a smile.

The guardsman nodded and gulped. "Y-yes sir," he replied.

Raikou nodded and took his hand off the man's shoulder. "Did you inform Balir that we are to meet in that old tavern?" he asked.

The guardsman nodded. "He said he would be there," he answered.

Raikou smiled and took a wide step back on the path. "Excellent," he said.

A few glares later, Raikou and his guard arrived at an old, wooden building. Its door was rot, the walls grimy, and above was a balcony that looked like it could fall at any moment.

"This place has seen better days," Raikou mumbled, opening the rotten door.

Inside were a few tables, a barkeep, and a couple of patrons and waitresses. In the back part of the room was a cloaked figure reading an antique book. Raikou motioned his guards to the bar and he walked over to the cloaked man.

"Balir, I see you are an extravert," he said.

The cloaked figure looked up and gave Raikou a slight smile. "What can I do for ya boss?" he asked. Raikou pointed to the seat and Balir waved. "Go ahead," he answered.

Raikou sat in the chair and leaned back. "How long has it been?" he asked.

Balir closed his book and put into his cloak pocket. "Two years? Maybe three?" he answered.

Raikou nodded and gazed over at the damp, moldy walls of the tavern.

"Should I strike up the band again?" Balir asked.

Raikou smiled as he reached into his jacket pocket for a cigarette. He motioned to Balir who politely waved in decline. Raikou shrugged, lit the cigarette, and placed it on his lips. "That would be a grand idea," he answered.

Balir leaned forward. "It's going to take some time," he said.

Raikou nodded and blew out smoke as he replied, "How long until the network is up?"

Balir tilted his head a few times and gazed over at the floor. "About a week," he answered.

Raikou nodded and picked at the wooden table. They sat in silence for a moment until Balir looked back at him.

"So why do you need the network so suddenly?" he questioned.

Raikou flicked a few ashes off the cigarette and continued to smoke. "I have an assignment from the emperor…and a request from a friend," he answered.

Balir looked at him curiously and smirked slightly as he asked, "Is it Esdeath?"

Raikou nodded and laughed a little. "We are looking for a boy...possibly in his late teens," he answered. "I believe his name is Tatsumi," Raikou added.

Balir pulled his book out of his pocket and flipped through a few pages before replying, "The Night Raid kid,"

Raikou raised an eyebrow and gazed at the book. "You know of him," he replied.

Balir nodded as he marked a section in the book. "He made quite a ruckus up at the palace," he explained.

"I heard," Raikou replied with a smile.

Balir stood up from the table and shoved the book back into his cloak. "I assume our business is done with?" he questioned.

Raikou nodded and slid his chair out from under the table. "Thank you," he replied.

Balir nodded back and crept up the stairs of the tavern. Raikou shot a ring of smoke into the air and looked to his guards who were sitting at the bar counter. He held the cigarette in one hand as he walked over to his guards.

"Enjoying yourselves?" Raikou asked.

The guardsmen gorged down several tankards of alcohol. "Yes sir!" they answered.

Raikou smiled and placed a small sack of gold onto the bar counter. "Return to the palace when you are done," he ordered.

The guardsmen turned to him. "But sir won't you need an escort?" one asked.

Raikou shrugged and hit his cigarette once more. "Enjoy yourselves, we are in the capital. Like I said before, just be back at the palace when you are done," he answered.

The guards hesitated for a moment but continued to drink. Raikou opened the door to the tavern and gently closed it behind him. He gazed at the citizens that strolled by then continued to walk the streets of the capital until nightfall. Raikou finished his cigarette but now held a bottle of wine in his hand. The river flowed quietly and the dim lights of the buildings and the moon reflected off of it. Raikou's face was rosy and his eyes drooped a little. He felt a light tug on his pants and to his surprise he saw a small child with tears in her eyes.

"Mister…" she mumbled under her cries.

Raikou frowned for a moment but it turned to a smile. "What happened?" he asked, crouching down. "Did you lose sight of your parents?" he added.

The child rubbed her eyes and stuttered as she replied, "M-my mommy…my daddy…"

Raikou's face turned back to a frown as he patted her head.

"They…they said…they didn't want me anymore…" she spoke.

Raikou turned his face back to the river, scowled, then turned back to the child and held her hand. "Come with me," he said, as he lead the girl through the streets of the Capital.

Esdeath looked out her window overlooking the city. She held her legs close to her chest then looked towards the moon. "Tatsumi," she thought as she buried her face into her thighs. Esdeath remained in the position for a moment longer before leaving the windowsill and exiting her room.

Raikou walked up to the palace gates and the guardsmen let him through. The girl's cry turned into a pout as Raikou approached his room.

"W-where are you t-taking me mister?" she asked, rubbing her eyes.

Raikou looked down at her and smiled. "I'll let you stay here until we find your parents, okay?" he questioned.

The girl continued to rub her eyes and pout as the walked the halls. "Okay," she answered.

The continued down the hallway until a familiar, blue-haired figure walked the other direction.

"Raikou?" Esdeath asked.

He stopped and looked at her with his rosy face. "Why are you up so late?" he asked.

"I can't sleep," she answered, gazing at the child beside him. "Why do you have a kid with you?" she asked.

Raikou smiled and tilted his head slightly as he replied, "Her parents left her...so I brought her back here,"

"You just took a random orphan off the street?" Esdeath questioned.

Raikou nodded and sighed, "Yeah, I can't just leave a child on the street like that. The Capital is beautiful and fun but it is not a sanctuary…especially at night,"

Esdeath glared at the child then looked back at Raikou.

"I was going to give her a place to sleep but... perhaps it would be better if you took her," he informed.

"Why should I take her?" Esdeath asked, still glaring at the child.

"Well, you both are women so you both would probably get along better," he answered.

Esdeath turned her head away and clenched her fists. "I will not take the orphan," she said.

Raikou shrugged and laughed slightly as the two continued down the hallway, "Okay then,"

Esdeath watched them as they went then looked to the moon whose light was peeking through the windows of the hallway.

Raikou opened the door to his room and let go of the girl's hand. "You can take the bed and I'll take the floor. We'll talk tomorrow morning," he said, collapsing to the floor.

The girl hesitated but soon climbed onto the bed and fell asleep.

The next morning Raikou woke up holding his head. "Never again…never again" he said. He looked around the room and saw the girl sleeping soundly on the bed. Raikou smiled and pushed himself off the ground then walked to the door leading to the hallway. He opened the door and looked up and down the hallways. It was completely silent save for the birds who chirped their morning song. Raikou closed the door and donned a military jacket that hung from his wardrobe. He gazed at the girl once again before sitting at his desk to read a black book.

The girl stretched and looked towards Raikou.

"Are you awake?" he asked, writing in the book.

The girl frowned, nodded, then sat up in the bed.

Raikou turned his head to her and said, "Alright...then get up,"

The girl climbed out of the bed and ran up to Raikou to hold his leg. "Are you going to help me find mommy?" she asked.

Raikou turned back to the book to close it then looked back at the girl. "We'll find your mother," he reassured.

The girl gave a slight smile that was shortly lived.

"I don't know why you would want to return…they didn't want you," he thought as he took the girl's hand. "I will have some things to do first before we go looking for your parents...so try to be patient with me okay?" Raikou asked, smiling down at her.

The girl nodded slightly as they left the room.

The Jaegers all met in the council room and Raikou's guardsmen stood at the far side of the room. Esdeath sat at the end of the table with her hat tilted forward.

"He's late," Run said, twirling his hair.

"You told him eight, general?" Wave questioned, looking towards the blue-haired woman.

She raised her hat a little and returned his gaze. "I did but he has a child to take care of," she answered.

"He has a kid?" Wave asked.

The door to the council room opened and Raikou and the child walked through. Kurome stared at the child who closely followed behind Raikou.

"I apologize for my tardiness," he said, sitting down in a chair.

"I didn't know you had a kid," Wave said with a smile. He looked down at the girl and said, "Why is she not with your wife?"

Raikou laughed slightly and raised an eyebrow. "I don't have a wife," he replied.

Wave stared at him and looked at him. "Oh...I apologize...I am sorry for your loss," he said sincerely.

Raikou looked at Esdeath who rolled her eyes then back to Wave. "Thank you for your condolences for the wife that I never had...this girl isn't my child," he joked.

Wave looked at him curiously. "Then why do you have a kid with you?" he asked.

Raikou sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Her parents left her and I decided to take her with me until I find her a home," he answered.

Wave looked surprised and looked back to Esdeath.

"What do we have on Night Raid?" she asked.

Silence infested the entire room as there was no response from the group.

Raikou laughed quietly and gently leaned forward in his chair. "I talked with my friend and I should be getting feedback soon," he answered.

He stood up from the table and walked towards the door. His guards started after him but were stopped when Raikou waved his hand.

"Where are you going?" Esdeath asked.

Raikou turned to face her and put his hand on the door knob. "Well…nobody has anything to report…I was going to see about that package you wanted me to receive," he answered with a wink and a smile.

Esdeath blushed and looked away from him.

Raikou bowed slightly at the Jagers before he left the room with the girl in hand.

"Miss, what should we do?" Seryu asked.

Esdeath waved her hand and answered, "Go out and find something useful,"

The Jaegers all dispersed, leaving Esdeath alone in the room. "Tatsumi," she thought.

Raikou and the girl walked outside the palace gates and into the city.

"Are we going to find mommy now?" the girl asked, gazing up at Raikou.

He turned his head and smiled. "Yes," he answered.

A bright smile appeared on the girl's face but soon receded.

"Do you remember which part of the city you live in?" Raikou asked.

The girl shook her head and looked at the houses that lined the streets.

"How old are you?" Raikou asked.

"I'm seven," she answered.

He was surprised and his face cringed as he thought, "Those sick bastards let a seven year old alone in the city?" His anger soon receded and he gave a slight laugh. "Come on," Raikou added, picking up his pace.

The girl followed close behind him and they walked around the city for a couple hours.

"Do you recognize anything here?" Raikou asked.

The girl shook her head and they continued to another part of the city.

"Here?" Raikou asked.

The girl analyzed the buildings before shaking her head again.

Hours went by as they searched the city. Every place they had went to resulted in a failure. It was not until it hit nightfall and rain began to fall that the will to search waned.

"We checked around only half of the city and it is raining…we should head back," Raikou said.

A gust of wind went by and it moved a sign sticking above a rugged building.

The girl's eyes widened as it swayed back and forth and exclaimed, "Wait!"

Raikou turned to the girl who was filled with excitement. "What's wrong?" he asked.

She pointed to the swaying sign. "The maple leaf!" she exclaimed.

"Maple leaf?" he thought as he turned to the sign. He looked back to her and asked, "Are we close to your home?"

The girl was bright-eyed and nodded. "Yes!" she exclaimed, running down the street.

"Hey! Wait up!" Raikou exclaimed, chasing after her.

They ran down the street until they had reached a rugged building. The girl stared at the door and she gulped a little.

Raikou looked at the door then back to her and asked, "Is this it?"

She nodded and turned her head to Raikou who went up to the door and knocked on it. They waited for a few moments but there was no response and he knocked again. This time there was movement in the house and the door creaked open.

"Who is it?" a masculine voice questioned.

Raikou glared at him and pointed to the girl. "Is this your child?" he asked.

The man looked down at the girl who smiled up at him.

"Daddy!" she exclaimed, desperately trying to push the door open.

The man started to sweat and tried to push the door closed. "Of course not!" he replied.

Raikou pushed the door open and grabbed his shoulder. "You are lying," he accused.

The man gulped before replying, "I'm not! I've never seen this girl in my life!"

Raikou shook his head. "This girl, your daughter, just called you 'daddy', did she not?" he questioned.

The man had no response and Raikou grabbed the collar to his shirt. "Why did you abandon this girl!?" he interrogated.

"I didn't abandon her! We were going to give her a good home and she ran away!" the man answered.

Raikou shook his head slightly. "You just lied about this girl being your daughter and you so quickly abandoned your lie...you are a coward," he said.

The man struggled to break his grip. "I told you we were going to give her a good home!" he repeated.

The girl started to cry. "Stop it mister!" she exclaimed, pulling on Raikou's pant leg.

Raikou shook the man and asked, "And where was this good home?"

"We were going to give her to a man…Castile…he said he would take care of her," the man answered.

Raikou's eyes contracted and trembled as his face flushed. The atmosphere around him froze and the colors began to fade.

"Castile…Castile!?" he exclaimed.

The man nodded still trying to break the hold. "What's-," he began as he was thrown to into the citizens in the area stopped and gazed over at the scene.

Raikou walked over to the man and grabbed his collar again. "You were going to sell her!?" he exclaimed.

The man's eyes trembled with fear and the girl started to cry. "Daddy!" she exclaimed, running to her father.

"Castile is a slave trader!" Raikou exclaimed.

The man's face grew scared and Raikou's face momentarily vented of its anger. "Y-you knew…you already knew what Castile was…" Raikou's face flooded back to fury. He looked at the crowd around him then to the girl who was were heard from the ragged house and a slender woman came running out. "Markus!" she exclaimed.

Raikou released his grip on the father then turned to the woman. "You both are despicable!" he exclaimed as he grabbed the woman's shirt. "How can you do that to your own child!?" he yelled.

"Raikou!" a familiar voice called.

He turned his head to see a blue-haired woman glaring at him. Thunderbolts filled the sky and thunder crashed like drums behind her. "Let go of her…now," she ordered.

Raikou looked back to the woman and reluctantly loosened his grip. She and the girl ran over to the man laid out on the floor and he glared at the man who returned the stare. Raikou then looked down to the girl as he released a deep breath."Miss," he said.

The girl looked up at him with tears in her eyes.

"Come with me," he offered.

The girl shook her head nervously. "I-I want to stay here with Daddy," she replied.

Raikou glared at her. "Why stay with people that won't care for you...that don't want you?" he questioned.

The girl shook her head again. "I'm staying with mommy and daddy!" she exclaimed.

His angry face morphed into worry. "I can't leave you with them," he replied.

The girl violently shook her head and hugged her father.

Raikou shook his head and started down the cobblestone street but a hand stopped him half way.

"Calm down," Esdeath said.

Raikou's face cringed and he continued to walk down the street.