Jan-jan! Time for another chapter!
The Tatsumi-Akame-Esdeath love triangle is starting to take place, and their relations are evolving.
But...is it for the better or the worst?
It took them the next half day to clean the entire house. Truth to be told, there was not such an amount of work, but they had troubles for multiple reasons.
Both Akame and Wave were used to domestic tasks, and it caused them to constantly correct the mistakes of Esdeath and Kurome.
It worsened when Esdeath thought the best role fit for her was to look after Tatsumi, who was observing the whole task. He still couldn't properly move, but the true reason behind his inactivity was Akame and Esdeath's will for him to rest.
Akame did not let Esdeath do as she wished and interfered ; Wave had to calm them, and during this time, Kurome slacked off to eat sweets.
However, they all felt relieved and proud when they achieved the work. As Akame ordered, Tatsumi slept in the same room as Kurome.
The first night, Akame found herself unable to sleep. Her bedroom was large, comfortable, but…
Putting Tatsumi and Kurome in the same room was the good thing to do, but…I'm sure Esdeath will try something.
As time slowly passed, her worry grew up.
Plus, Kurome was under Esdeath's orders. And she knows that icy slut loves him…what if, despite what she said to me last night, she lets Esdeath enter and do what she wants with Tatsumi?!
Her mind formed several images of Tatsumi trapped in Esdeath clutches, making her blush.
No…I can't let that happen! Because…because Tatsumi is mine!
She threw her light blanket away and walked towards the door, only wearing bra and panties.
I'll keep their door the entire night if I have to, but I have to make sure Esdeath won't try anything!
Because they didn't have any way to light up the corridor, it was dark as ink. She couldn't see anything excepted the moonlight coming from the bedrooms' windows and passing under the doors.
Akame spotted Tatsumi and Kurome's one and sneakily approached it, silent as death.
I have to be careful if I don't want to awake them…
She was about to reach the door but stumbled on something. Akame understood she walked on someone's body and immediately readied herself to battle.
"Who's there?!"
"Oww…it's me, Akame. Wave."
"Wave?"
"My, my…if it's not Akame", said another voice, which Akame recognized as Esdeath's. Her eyes used to the obscurity, she saw her nemesis sat in front of her, against the wall.
"W-what are you both doing here?!" Akame asked, lowering her voice.
"I'm here to make sure Kurome does nothing illicit with Tatsumi", Esdeath answered.
"I'm here to make sure Tatsumi does nothing to Kurome", Wave said.
Then, both of them asked together :
"And you, what are you doing here?"
"Making sure you don't do anything neither!"
Despite the "incident" of the first night, things went smoothly the next days.
Sleeping and living in a large house considerably helped everyone's mood to get better. There was enough space for Akame and Esdeath, so they could stay away from each other.
Kurome and Wave had long lovey-dovey walks in the fields and dates in the town, but as Akame ordered, they didn't sleep together.
Tatsumi slowly but surely recovered from his physical and psychological injuries, thanks to the good care of his friends.
Wave had long and friendly talks with him, since they looked the same by their specs. He told him awful jokes, and tried to convince him that seafood was the best without much success.
Kurome did not speak too much, but willingly shared her sweets with him ; Tatsumi, who had learned that the sisters were tough when it came to food, knew it was a true act of confidence and friendship coming from her.
Akame spent her time narrating him stories and adventures from the time they were in Night Raid. She showed him the past he wanted to learn about, the good and the bad, the bad and the good.
She did not hide the death of their comrades nor the fact that some of them died fighting Esdeath or her subordinates.
Even if Tatsumi did not know his fellows like he did before, he shed tears when he learned their fates. To Akame's surprise, he did not curse Esdeath after that, and their relation remained unchanged.
But if he cried, he laughed too, when Akame spoke about the good things they went through, and the ambient that ruled their group.
Esdeath too discussed with Tatsumi. From what Akame knew, she related her youth to him…and many anecdotes about hunts, battles and of course, tortures.
Tatsumi, however, told her that he was disgusted by this side of her, and prayed her to stop both telling and practicing.
When she heard that, Akame feared for all of them, but, surprisingly, Esdeath consented.
Tatsumi was sat in the grass of a nearby meadow. The weather was pleasant : the sun was rising high, and a light wind was blowing, refreshing the atmosphere.
It has been two weeks since they moved in, and only ten days since he was able to move by himself.
As always when he was alone, Tatsumi was reflecting about himself. About what he once was, what he was now, what he had become, and what he could become.
He didn't tell the others yet, but fragments of souvenirs came back to him. They weren't precise memories like sceneries, but things like scents alone, images and sounds.
Like, he remembered a beautiful young woman with long purple hair and eyes, reading a book and wearing glasses.
In his memory, she was smiling. From her scar on the cheek, Tatsumi was certain that it was the woman named Sheele, the kindest member of Night Raid…and the first to die after he joined them.
He did not know her, but he trusted Akame when she told her they were all very close. And because of that, he was sad.
Tatsumi was also questioning the relations he had with Akame and Esdeath. Both of them confessed to him, and that was confusing him.
Why did they choose him? Did he hear correctly, at least? Moreover…who did he love? Both deserved consideration…
Akame was a timid deadly cutie, and it seemed that she was also very caring. But she looked sad, so sad… A part of him wanted to make that sadness disappear, to comfort her with both his heart and soul.
But despite all of this, he still felt he was a stranger to her. He wanted to know her more and to become someone that deserved her.
Esdeath, on the other hand, was somehow scary. If half of the stories Akame told him were true, she was truly a monster, a born slaughterer who liked nothing but tortures, rampages and hunts.
From what Tatsumi saw, she was possessive, strong beyond measure, sadistic…and beautiful, proud, loving.
He didn't know why, but he was slightly attracted by her. She was older than him, for sure, but…even if he had a good idea of what she was, he couldn't hate her.
…what am I even thinking about? I look a like an old perv' with a harem… Don't fool yourself…they like the "old you", not the one you are now.
Somewhat depressed, he opened the eyes.
He did not notice the silhouette behind him, slowly coming closer and closer. He did not notice the small arms rising above his head.
Suddenly, they befell on him.
And then, he saw nothing but darkness.
"Guess who it is!" cheerfully said a girl's voice.
Two little hands were pressed on his eyes.
"Ahhh!" Tatsumi yelled.
He feigned panic, weakly trying to free himself, but careful not to break the embrace.
He gave up and crossed his arms.
"Let's see… I'd say… Lyle!"
"What?!"
He felt a tiny foot hitting his back.
"Wrong! I'm not Lyle! I can't believe you mistake him and I!"
"Mmmh…it can't be…Ruca?!"
"Idiot, why do you like so surprised?!" screamed the little girl, freeing Tatsumi. "You idiot big bro!"
"I'm joking, I'm joking!" he laughed, patting the head of the child, making her smile.
She was a cute little girl nine years old, with brown curled hair. Her voice was like a summer song, despite her young age, and her smile shined like a diamond.
I'm not a pedophile, but seeing her, I understand why some men fall to this side…wait, what am I thinking?!
To hide his trouble, he smiled too. She gave him a hug, and he patted her head again, amazed by the energy of this little warm body.
To him, she was the little sister he never had. At this strange thought, he remembered how they met.
It happened the day he was able to move again, when he insisted to have a walk.
Esdeath and Akame were not enthusiastic at this idea, but he persuaded them and they consented. He promised with a grin that he would not try to flee nor to kill himself again.
As he was enjoying the fresh air, the sun, the nature itself, he heard laughters, and a little girl ran into him.
Right away, a boy appeared behind her and touched her.
"Caught you!"
"Wait! It's not fair! This oldster blocked me!"
"Oldster?! How am I an oldster?!" he protested.
"You oldster!" said the girl.
"Oooh, you little…you deserve a punishment!" he roared, trying to reach her with his arms.
But to his surprise, she ran away with a squeak like a little mouse. He tried to catch her, but she was fast and his injuries were slowing him.
He pursued her for several minutes, as she was both screaming of joy and laughing, and before he knew it, he was also enjoying himself.
They spent the next hour discussing, joking and drinking fresh water at the nearby stream. He learned her name, and the names of her friends with whom she was playing cat-and-mouse.
Ruca was the daughter of a weaver in Joyou, but instead of learning this art, she preferred to play in the outskirts, like many children.
In the time of a week, they became like brother and sister : none of them had one. Ruca was vigorous, smiling and dynamic : Tatsumi often had to scowl and temper her…like an older brother would do.
He met her friends as well, a bunch of kids and farmer sons ; but thanks to the town of Joyou, they had the chance to go to school and learn letters and numbers. There were not so many towns doing that, and, conscious of their luck, the children took the lessons with serious.
Tatsumi, once brought to the class, played the role of the assistant, and became well liked by all the children. He even started to appreciate their company : it distracted his troubled mind, brought him joy and good memories.
He loved to listen to their stories, their weeps, their accomplishments, to comfort them, to cheer them, and to see their smiles.
A few days later, he proposed the governor to learn to the children to defend themselves just to animate a bit their lessons, and expected a refusal, but to his great surprise, she accepted.
And so, he began to show them how to swing wooden swords, basic moves and techniques : this earned him the appellation of "big bro" by all the children who knew him.
But even so, his relation with Ruca remained special ; when she called him "big bro", he knew she was meaning it.
This day too, they had a rendezvous on the same meadow, as they usually did for almost ten days.
"Big bro!" called Ruca, looking at him in the eyes. "What are we waiting? We're gonna be late at school!"
"Hm? Oh, yes, that's right!"
They had been waiting for ten minutes, and Ruca was growing impatient. Tatsumi just realized that he did not tell her why.
"Today, a friend of mine will come too!" he announced.
Ruca seemed puzzled.
"A friend?"
"Yep."
"Why?"
"Well…because it'll be fun!"
"Hmmm…big bro?"
"Yes?"
"This is a girl, right?"
Tatsumi blinked.
"How did you know?!"
"I wasn't sure, but you confirmed it!" Ruca laughed.
Damn, she played me like a child! Tatsumi mentally cursed.
He pursed his lips, crossing his arms, but Ruca pulled his cheeks.
"Awawawawa! Stop! Stop!"
She played with him until he stopped to sulk.
"How did you know?" Tatsumi repeated, massaging his red cheeks.
"The way you talked about that friend", Ruca replied.
"You smart one…"
Suddenly, Tatsumi caught the vision of someone coming in their direction.
It looked like Akame, but…it couldn't be…
But it was her.
"Sorry!" she said, breathless. "I'm late because I had to lecture Kurome… She bought too many candies, again, instead of food!"
"I don't think that's a problem" Tatsumi objected. "Since you hunt every day, we don't need that much money…"
"B-but! She's not earning that money by herself, Wave does! She will become a spoiled brat if it goes on!"
"I think Wave wants Kurome to be happy, so he doesn't care if she spends his money on candies… By the way Akame, you truly act like a big sis' right now, y'know?"
"What? But…I'm her big sister, so it's normal…isn't it?"
Tatsumi giggled, but realized that during their dialog, they totally neglected Ruca.
"Ahem…Akame, this is Ruca, a friend…Ruca, this is Akame, a friend…" he clumsily said.
"…tiful…" Ruca murmured.
"What?"
"Beautiful…"
Ruca was frozen with wonderment.
"Big sis', you're so beautiful!"
Akame, who did not expect that, became red as a tomato.
"W-w-what are you saying?"
Tatsumi gave Ruca a small poke.
"Ruca! This is not the kind of thing you say the first time you see someone!"
That being said, he couldn't help but agree. Akame was particularly cute today.
The reason he firstly doubted it was her was her outfit. She did not wear her usual dark sleeveless mini dress, but a white skirt that accentuated her innocence, her delicate face and curves.
She was still wearing Murasame though, but it was a detail compared to her beauty.
She didn't look in the slightest to be an assassin, but to a highborn maid.
"…it suits you very well, Akame", Tatsumi finally said.
"Thanks…I wanted to wash my clothes for a long time, but I didn't have anything to put on. Kurome found this on the market for me."
"Ooh…say, big bro, this is your girlfriend?" asked Ruca with a petty smile.
Akame and Tatsumi blushed in unison.
"What? No way!" Tatsumi stammered.
Akame gave him a sad look, tearing.
"No way?..."
She looked so cute like this, with her white dress, her red eyes, and her disappointed face, like she was on the verge of crying…
"Aaaah, that's not what I meant, Akame! I mean, you're beautiful, pretty and kind, but I…"
He stopped, and steeled himself.
"Anyway! She's not my girlfriend…"
Akame sadly sniffed.
"…yet", he added to calm her.
She raised her head, smiling brightly.
God, what will become of me... thought Tatsumi.
"By the way, why does she call you 'big bro'?" Akame asked.
"This is complicated…"
Ruca decided that she tormented Tatsumi long enough, and put an end to his ordeal by changing the subject.
"So, big sis', why are you here?" she demanded. "I never saw you before, why did you come today?"
Tatsumi replied in her place.
"She wanted to see the school, and meet your friends."
For some reason, Akame turned her head away.
I can't tell them that I just wanted a pretext to spend time with him!...
They began to walk, heading towards the school, which was ten minutes from the meadow.
Akame noticed the great link between Tatsumi and Ruca, and was a little bit jealous ; however, she knew far too well that the girl was too young to be another rival.
"Big bro! Carry me!" she pleaded.
"As you say!"
Tatsumi lifted the girl on his shoulders and she grasped his hair between her little hands, directing him like a horse. Both of them were laughing to tears, and that sight brought Akame a peace of mind she didn't feel for weeks.
I'm happy to see him like this though I'd like him to carry me too…
Seeing Tatsumi like that, smiling, laughing, playing with a little girl…it was something she could've not imagine two weeks ago.
They look like siblings…or father and daughter…wait, if he's her father, that means I'm her mother…?
Troubled, she stayed quiet, savoring the scenery offered to her : the one she loved, carrying a girl, peacefully walking on a trail, the wind in his hair and the sun lighting his face.
On their way to school, several children joined the group.
Tatsumi presented every one of them to Akame : Tear, Reid, Luan, Lyle, Lini…most of them were the age of Ruca, but some were older.
They all had an innocent smile and look on the face : only the ones who didn't experiment grief could smile that way.
Akame was glad they were spared by the misfortune, and asked herself if she ever smiled like this before.
The joyful company of twenty children reached the school, a medium wooden building with a fenced yard. To Akame, it looked like a holyday residence, not a school.
The teacher, a man with glasses in his thirties, welcomed them and paid them a visit. The school had four rooms : the class, able to contain thirty persons, the toilets/bathroom, the teacher's personal room, and the kitchen.
The town of Joyou allowed the schoolboys and girls to eat there, to avoid the endless goings and comings between their homes and the school.
And so, the teacher, aided by the children, prepared food for lunch every day. Then, they ate together in the classroom. All the costs were supported by the governor herself.
After the visit, Akame and Tatsumi assisted to the class. The professor was teaching them was seemed basic things, but for peasant children, knowing how to read was a very important knowledge.
Akame noticed with pleasure that the elder were helping the younger or the ones that had difficulties. There were no bullying nor mocking : the class was united.
Tatsumi played the role of the assistant ; he patrolled between the desks and gave small advices when he could.
The last lesson before lunch was Tatsumi's personal lecture, where he showed the children how to fight in the yard.
Of course, given their ages and how the way they played, they wouldn't be able to defeat full grown opponents, but with time and practicing, they could become able to defend themselves.
As she was observing Tatsumi parrying the weak hits of Ruca, she went to the teacher, also watching over his students.
"This…it doesn't bother you? I mean, the fact that they learn to fight…"
The teacher shrugged, a concerned look on his face.
"I can't say I approve this…I'm against violence. But…"
"But?"
He inspired and sighed.
"But I'm not a fool to believe that everyone thinks the same way as I do. The children are sheep and the world is full of wolves. Having basics in fighting will help them not to stay sheep for the rest of their lives."
He frowned.
"Especially after what happened here…"
"What happened–"
"Akame!"
Tatsumi interrupted them.
"Akame, come here!"
The students had dropped their wooden swords and were all looking at her.
"It's time for my friend Akame's lecture! She will tell you all about the edible Danger Beasts!" he said.
What?! she thought, astonished. What is this? What am I supposed to do?!
Noticing her distress, Tatsumi came close to her, and whispered to her ear :
"Don't worry. It'll be okay, I know you can do it! Just tell them what comes by your mind!"
The warm breath of her lover in her ear made her dizzy.
"A-alright…I'll do it!"
She gathered her courage and chased away her hesitation. Then, she spoke :
"The first tip is : if it's meat, it's okay!"
A silence welcomed her declaration.
…did I say something wrong?
Suddenly, Ruca loudly laughed, followed by all the children.
Akame felt relieved, and from this moment, they asked her many questions about the Danger Beasts she ate, the best methods to roast them, the best parts…
To prove her assertions, she even brought back a Land Tiger she had hunted the day before, and cooked it for everyone (basically, she just put it on a big fire to roast it). After that, they had lunch in the class, where Akame and Tatsumi ate at the same desk.
The children started to call Akame "big sis'", which pleased her in a certain way.
She was eating her share when she noticed that she was living a dream : she was completely relaxed with meat at will, Tatsumi by his side, and swarms of children playing near them…
I feel like…we have a family. No…I think that if I founded a family with him, that's what it would look like…
A warm wave embraced her body, as she tasted genuine happiness.
"…kame…Akame?"
She suddenly noticed that Tatsumi was calling her.
"Y-yes?"
For a second, she thought he had read her mind.
"You look weird…you okay?" Tatsumi asked, worried.
"Y-y-yeah, sure! I just…"
"Wait, you have some meat on you…don't move."
Akame shivered when Tatsumi's finger caressed her cheek to clean it. When she saw him suck his finger from the meat he collected, she violently blushed.
The coup de grace was the smile he addressed her, sparkling and innocent. She turned her head away to hide her embarrassment.
It was at this very moment that the door of the classroom suddenly opened.
"Taaaatsuuumiiiiiiiiii~"
For fuck sake, not her!...
Esdeath just kicked in, and immediately hugged Tatsumi. She was wearing a light blue tunic with symbols of her tribe, and ear muffs.
She did not look like the terrible Ice Queen, but instead, a beautiful young woman to marry.
Of course, she did it on two purposes : not be recognized by the people and town officials, and of course, to seduce Tatsumi.
"Did I make you waiiiiiiiit?~"
Akame hardly stood her lovey-dovey voice and manner.
"No, you're right in time!" Tatsumi replied.
"What are you doing here?" Akame coldly asked.
"I'm here at Tatsumi's demand", Esdeath announced. "His personal demand, should I say", she added with a pernicious grin.
Akame interrogated Tatsumi with a unique stare.
"She tells the truth. I requested her to give a lecture on how to tame Danger Beasts, since she's able to do it!"
Meanwhile, Esdeath was still grinning, but from a voracious one.
Did you really think I'd let Tatsumi to you?! she ferociously thought.
After the meal, they washed the flatware and cleaned the desks. Then came Esdeath's lecture.
If Akame was shy and hesitant, Esdeath was confident in her methods.
"So! The first thing you have to do in order to tame a Danger Beast is to make it submit!"
She crossed her arms and closed her eyes, an "adult" look on the face.
"But sometimes, it doesn't work, and the animal refuses to obey you. In that case, the best option is to kill it before the eyes of its kin! But in an impressive way, like, pulling its entrails out of its body, opening its head and throwing its brain, or simply cutting its limbs one by one…"
The children became pale as Esdeath pursued her presentation, but she was not aware of that, lost in her bloody examples
However, Tatsumi came to her and caught her attention.
"Miss Esdeath…you're scaring them…stop speaking of slaughtering Beasts, this is not the point here! You're supposed to teach them how to tame, not eviscerate!" he whispered.
Damn, he's right! I have to be careful, or I'll lose credit and he won't be impressed! she worried.
She paused, cleared her throat and smiled to the students.
"…I'm sorry. I get carried away. So! The most important thing is to show a Beast that you're definitely the strongest. Once it is done, they can submit, and serve you as long as you reward them with food. Of course, this is not a trade : you decide when they eat : they do not reclaim anything from you."
She kept going on, and this time, without deviation, captivating the children.
Once done, she leaded them outside.
Tatsumi and Akame gave her an interrogative glare, but she only nodded.
Tatsumi, I'm sure this will impress you!
She checked that everyone was here, and took some distance.
"I don't want it to destroy the yard, the fence or the school", she explained.
"Who?" asked the teacher, suddenly worried.
"GOLIATH!" Esdeath called out, making everyone blench.
At first, nothing happened, but little by little, they heard a noise.
FrrrrrRrr. FrrrRrrr.
"What is it?" asked Ruca, shaking.
FRRrrrr. FrrRrrrR.
It looked like the wind itself was tore apart.
FRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.
Out of nowhere, a black scaled dragon suddenly landed on the ground, sending dust fly and making the earth shake.
The children began to cry and scream, but Esdeath calmed them down by caressing the dragon's head.
"You have nothing to fear. It is perfectly domesticated, and obeys only to me."
She had tamed it the day before, when Tatsumi asked her to come to school. It was a high ranked Danger Beast, but nothing to her.
"Don't be afraid. Come on, you can come closer. You can jump on its back or pat its scales, it won't bite or injure you. And if it attempts anything, I'll kill it on the spot."
Slowly overcoming their fear, the children did as she told, and soon, all of them were playing with the dragon.
Only Akame was still on the edge, ready to draw Murasame, her eyes fixed on the very movements of the dragon.
Time flies when one has fun, and so, the afternoon passed like a heartbeat.
The children were going home, but most of them took time to thank Akame and Esdeath.
"Thank you for today, Miss!" told one to Esdeath.
"You so strong, Miss! One day I will be too!
"See you, Miss!"
After the last one departed, Esdeath turned towards Tatsumi, who was carrying a sleepy Ruca on his back.
"They all call me Miss…do I look so old? I'm only twenty-two…"
"I call you Miss too", Tatsumi observed. "But don't worry. We don't do this because you seem old, but because you're strong and beautiful despite your young age, and you deserve our respect!" he said without blinking.
I'm…strong, beautiful and young…
Esdeath was aghast. Tatsumi never told her that…
Before his amnesia, he felt nothing but hatred and disgust towards her.
After his amnesia, he was too confused to speak his mind.
But now…Now, he made her compliments…a thing he never did…
For once, Esdeath was out of words, but was happy beyond measure.
Does this mean…that he's falling for me?... It has to be that!
They get back to home together, only stopping to drop Ruca at her house.
When they came back, Wave and Kurome were already preparing the dinner –leftovers of meat brought back by Akame–.
She thanked them, and went outside to train with Tatsumi.
To his demand, she was practicing against him. He didn't want to lose the weight of years of training by slacking off.
He had a good teacher, a former soldier, but Akame was far, far too strong for him in swordsmanship.
They fought with wooden swords for two reasons : one, Akame could not decently fight with Murasame, she would've kill him, and two, they did not have any other weapon, excepted Esdeath's rapier.
Even if they were safe, Wave, Esdeath and Akame were concerned by this matter. They wanted Kurome and Tatsumi to have at least proper swords to defend themselves if they had to.
But Joyou was not reputed for its weapons or blacksmiths, and the steel was mediocre here.
Till then, they had to daily recraft wooden swords to practice, since they broke them pretty easily.
"When will I be as strong as you?" Tatsumi asked, as he surrendered, Akame's sword on the throat.
"Who knows. It comes with practice, again and again." She looked at his body. "Are your injuries ok? Don't force too much…"
Tatsumi smiled.
"I'm ok, don't worry! Don't go easy on me! Come on, again!" he said, adopting a combat posture.
They danced again, until the sun disappeared behind the horizon.
As they were eating together, like a family, Akame felt a knot in her stomach.
Everything is alright. Tatsumi's state is getting better, he smiles, he laughs, he made friends, he takes care of the children of the town… We don't have any trouble with Esdeath for now, or any trouble at all.
She reflected.
Yes. Everything seems to be alright. So…why am I this worried? Why do I feel uneasy, deep inside of me?
The reason she was so uncomfortable was because each time she had this feeling, bad things happened.
Bad things like death, fire and blood.
Who would you choose, between Akame and Esdeath? :D I'm curious!
Also, I have a few things to write here.
Esdeath's dragon's name is a reference to the fanfiction Unhealthy Obsession, a Tatsumi x Esdeath fanfiction that I like very much, but sadly, seems to be on eternal hiatus. In this story, Esdeath's dragon is named Goliath, so this is my tribute to it. I hope it will resume one day.
I think you already guessed that right now, things are way too calm...storm will come, no matter what.
So! Make your bets! What will happen? What do you want to happen?
Tell me everything in the reviews :)
I truly hope you like this story as much as I do.
Thanks for all your supports/favs/follows/kind reviews!