A/N: Chapter 29 of One final breath. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters except my own. Akame ga kill belongs to the rightful owner.

Special thanks to the reviewers and to the readers who Fav/Alert this story, I truly appreciate it.


Chapter 29: Kill the foe

Capital...

"You dare cross me, tarnish my beautiful face and ruin my fun...? That's an unforgivable offense." Syura growled as he glared at Wave with intense anger. "Boiled alive? Cut down? Roasted? Drawn and quartered? Buried alive...? Which kind of execution do you prefer? Or do you want the whole works?"

"Just how many people..." Wave asked as he drew Grand Chariot's key with anger. "...have you killed on whims like that...? All of you in Wild Hunt...I can't forgive you...I won't forgive you!"

"No!" Kurome exclaimed, grabbing onto his sleeve. "You can't use that here!"

"Stop right there!" A booming voice spoke and the three of them felt the floor tremble due to heavy footsteps. "Is this killing intent I sense? Fools." General Budou growled as he walked towards them. "Do you intend to go on a rampage inside the palace that I guard? I will not allow such a thing. If you use your Teigu, I will execute you on the spot, no questions asked...with my Adramelech."

So powerful...! This man shouldn't be trifled with. Kurome thought as she stood closer to Wave.

This overwhelming pressure...so this is Great General Budou...! Wave swallowed nervously .

Tch...what a pest...Syura gritted his teeth in fury. Should I use Shambhala to switch locations? No, hold on. Syura's eyes were calm and collected as he formulated a strategy. If I'm going to kill one of Esdese's subordinates, I should plan it out more carefully. "No, no, Great General." He spoke in a calm manner. "We've just reached a point where we can't back off as men."

"Is that so?" Budou responded, his expression hard and unnerving as he watched the Prime Minister's son.

"How about this? A fist fight, so we don't wreck whatever is around us." Syura proposed. "No grudges, regardless of who wins! You settle stuff this way all the time in the military too, right?"

"What do you say?" Budou asked as Wave looked at Syura in shock.

If I can defeat him at his own game...The sailor mused as he saw his opponent grinning at him, taunting him with just a smile. That would be perfect! "Yeah." He agreed as he put away his weapon. "Let's settle this with just our fists."

"Then I'll be your judge." Budou said and turned swiftly on his heels. "Follow me to the courtyard."

You fucking idiot. Syura grinned evilly. Now I can beat you to death without a worry into the world, even if you're Esdese's subordinate!

"Wave..." Kurome stopped him by holding onto his sleeve once more, looking concerned. "He's..."

"...I know." Wave replied with a smile. "He's strong. But it's okay." Just watch me. This time, I'll show you how tough I can be! The two men stood opposite of each other in the courtyard, staring each other down.

"Begin." Budou said.


Night Raid base...

"You're back." I froze up as I heard Najenda's voice behind me, my hand barely left the doorknob. "Where were you?"

And I thought I would be able to sneak back without anyone around, looks like I got caught and by Boss no less...sigh. I closed my eyes, counted to 10 and turned around to face her, her eyes immediately zoomed in on my left cheek.

"Is that...a red hand print?" She questioned. "What did you do?"

"I didn't do anything...well..." I replied, lifting my hand up to touch it, the skin still raw. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."

"Also...you disobeyed my orders to stay in the base and await for more information from the Revolutionary Army scouts."

"...I'm sorry, really." I apologized to her. "I won't go outside anymore."

"Are you sure about that?" She quirked an eyebrow at me. "I'm sure you have your reasons so all I have to say is, be careful."

"I will. Don't you worry Boss." I smiled.

"As long as you know." Nodding her head, Najenda turned on her heels and disappeared without another word.

I gotta be more careful, I should be grateful that Boss didn't give me a much harsher punishment but still... I shook my head before walking towards the kitchen. Grabbing a towel I dipped it into some cold water and gently applied it to my face, shivering at the touch but felt the stinging sensation starting to subside.

"Sonya."

"Hmm? Oh hi Onee-san..." My voice trailed off as she wrapped her arms around my waist, leaning her head against my back. "...what's wrong? Are you okay? Did Leone not play with you like usual?"

"I'm fine." She replied, her voice muffled against my shirt. "And no, it has nothing to do with Leone." She paused for a minute before asking me another question. "Have you gotten taller?"

"Have I?" I scratched my right cheek in thought. "I don't think I did."

"Liar." She replied as I turned around to face her, placing the towel on the counter. "You definitely grew a bit, though I believe Tatsumi's catching up fast." She reached up to touch my face, concern flashed in her facial expression at the still apparent red cheek. "What happened? Boss said that there was a hand mark but I don't see it anymore..."

"Oh...something unimportant." I told her, waving her hand away. "It shouldn't concern you too much."

"C'mon...you can tell me." Akame gazed at me and I looked at the ground, unable to look at her straight in the eyes.

"...okay. It went something like this..." I closed my eyes as I told her what had happened.

Smack!

"Mommy!" Bols' daughter walked in just as my head snapped to the side, a red mark on my left cheek. Bols' wife looked at me with an angry expression, her hand raised. "What happened?!"

"Honey, please go back to the room and stay there." Her voice shook as she tried really hard not to yell at me.

"B-B-But..."
"Please...I don't want you to see this." At her mom's words, she gave me one last glance before disappearing back to the room.

"...why..." Her voice shook as I slowly turned my head back and gazed at the ground. "Why did you tell me this?"

"I...I felt you deserved to know." I replied, my cheek throbbing due to the pain. "I wanted you to know the truth about your husband's death..."

"...never in my life have I met an enemy such as yourself." Bols' wife spoke as she lowered her hand, her eyes softened just a tiny bit. "Sure I am quite upset that you told me all of this but...I am also grateful to you."

"Huh?" I looked up at her in confusion.

"You saved me...and you also saved her." She looked to where her daughter peeked out from behind the corner. "Come here, mommy's not angry anymore."

"...Mommy, are you mad at her because she is an enemy?" Her daughter asked.

"Yes...yes she is." Her mom replied. "She is also...responsible for your daddy's death..."

"But...she saved us." The daughter said with confusion, tilting her head at her mom. "How can Daddy's killer do something like this?" She turned to me with wide eyes. "Is it true that you...killed Daddy?"

"...Yes. I will not deny it." I admitted, knowing that she also deserved to know.

"Why did you do it?" She started to tear up, lower lip trembling. "If it weren't for you...Daddy would still be alive. If it weren't for you...Mommy wouldn't have to be sad!" She started to scream at me. "It's all your fault! Give me back my Daddy! Return my Daddy to me!"

"I'm sorry but that's impossible." I mumbled, looking elsewhere but her crying face. "I will take full responsibility for Bols' death! I will shoulder all of your hatred, your suffering! Please! Hate me then! Go on! Hate me even more!"

"But..." I heard the clicking of her shoes against the floor and anticipated for her to hit me just like her mother. Instead I felt her arms wrap themselves around my neck. I blinked before realizing that she was hugging me. "When Mommy and I were at Daddy's grave that one time, you saved us from those men. They were picking on Mommy and I tried to scare them away but they didn't listen..."

"Oh my..." Bols' wife covered her mouth with her hands to keep herself from crying. She never wanted her daughter to remember such an horrible ordeal.

"So...thank you Sonya. I still got Mommy beside me so I'm not alone." Bols' daughter thanked me, pulling me in tighter. "Even if Daddy isn't here, I still have him in my heart." I said nothing but wrapped my arms around her and sobbed.

"...and that's what happened." I opened my eyes after recounting my conversation. "I had to do something, Wild Hunt's members was going to kill an innocent family and I didn't want to stand idly by to watch. But, having his daughter forgive me for what Night Raid had done was...heart-wrenching. I still don't think I deserve her forgiveness, I feel like we've taken away the only fatherly figure in her life."

"She didn't tell the Jaegers anything about us right?" Akame asked me, referring to Bols' wife.

"She promised me that she didn't put anything in the letter about us." I assured her.

"Good. We would have been in major trouble if Esdese knew." Akame nodded. "Also, I'm not sure if it's okay for you to visit them every day."

"I already told them every thing." I mumbled. "Except where our base is..."

"Hmmm...that's also a bit concerning." She frowned slightly. "After the threat Wild Hunt passes, they'll go back to their regular home and who knows if she'll tell Esdese. Sonya, don't put all of your trust in her."

"...I understand..." I said with a nod of my head.

"Hey. I'm sure they'll understand." She smiled at me. "And," She placed her hand on my chest, right over my beating heart. "you can always keep them in here."

"Mmm." I nodded with a smile of my own, placing my hand over hers. "I promised them that I'd shoulder their sadness and their hatred. I can only hope that by doing this, their hearts would be at ease."


Back at the palace...

Syura's eyes snapped open and he looked around in confusion, there was a chandelier hanging from the ceiling and a familiar flower vase near the door. Suddenly his memory returned and he sat up abruptly, his hand flying up to his face to feel the cleanly wrapped bandages around his head, arms and face.

"I lost...to that piece of shit...?" He thought with horror. The fist fight with Wave ended with him being knocked out by a strong punch to the face. He was doing fine, almost having the advantage over the sailor but he totally underestimated his enemy and for that...he was careless. Wave managed to read all of his moves and overpowered him. Syura bit his lips furiously, feeling the warm liquid trickle down his chin. "You're fucking kidding me!" He roared, storming out of bed and made his way to the door. "I'm gonna..."

"You're having too much fun and forgetting your real mission, Syura." Honest spoke, getting his son's attention. He was sitting on one of the chairs with a giant pudding cake in his hand. "And on top of that, getting knocked unconscious by some country hick, how disgraceful. Just how low will you sink?"

"Ugh...!" Syura gritted his teeth with humiliation.

"Well, one can learn many things by tasting defeat." Honest spoke as he held out the empty plate. "Defeat Night Raid, and redeem yourself."

...Damn it! Syura's body trembled as he slammed his fist against the wall and created a huge dent. I even disappointed Pops! Wave, was it...? That bastard. I'll kill him as soon as I get the chance!

"Gah! Ow! Ow!" Wave protested loudly. "That stings, Kurome!" He woke up not too long ago in his room and the girl came by to help him with his wounds.

"You'll just have to deal with it." Kurome replied, concentrating on wrapping some bandages around his arm. "I'm not done yet!" The man fell silent as he watched her fumble with the wrapping, his heart fluttering a bit inside his chest.

"...that bastard." He spoke with a grimace. "He's already powerful enough, even without his status as the Prime Minister's son!"

"But...you defeated someone like that." Kurome said as she finished up, a small blush on her face. "I'm sorry for calling you weak all this time. I take it all back. You're really strong, Wave!"

"Ye...Yeah." Wave grinned brightly. "As long as you know!"

"..And thanks for saving me..." Kurome said, making the man flush red as she held his hand with her own.

"Wave!" Ran shouted as he barged in. "Are you alright!?" He paused as the two looked at him, their hands still touching.

"Yeah! Somehow!" Wave replied.

"Um, I'm sorry..." Ran apologized. "I came in at a bad time..."

"Huh? No!" Wave said. "There's nothing wrong, right, Kurome?" He turned to look at her only to be greeted with the silent treatment and a small pout. "...What's with that look? What did I say?"

"...you are really...dense aren't you?" The girl replied.

"Anyways, would you tell me what happened?" Ran said and the three of them sat around the table, Wave quickly brewed up some tea and gave him the run-down. "So that's what occurred."

"I tried beating some sense into him...but they're still a dangerous group...What kind of a country...allows a task-force like that...?"

"...I agree." Ran spoke as he placed his cup down. "There is something fundamentally wrong with this Empire. It has to change."

"Ran, you've been acting weird for awhile now." Wave said when he noticed the change in the man's behavior.

"Isn't it about time you tell us what you've been brooding over?" Kurome prompted him.

"...It's nothing that significant." Ran told them.

"Then you can tell us, right?" The other two looked at him with puppy-dog eyes.

"Fine." Ran buckled underneath their stares. "Some time ago, in the central area of the Empire, in a farming village near Joyou, I was a teacher. Joyou's land was fertile, and it was a relatively wealthy area. It was also peaceful and well-governed. Our governor took pride in that as well. Because of that, the children were able to focus on studying, and they were quick learners...their future looked bright. However, one day, while I was away...the children...were all massacred by someone." Ran shuddered as he remembered the horror. The classroom a mess, all the furniture strewn and broken. All the kids that he taught were all laying at different areas of the room, dead.

"How terrible..." Wave muttered.

"However, the officials of Joyou wanted to protect their reputation as a safe, peaceful outskirt village. So they swept the entire incident underneath the rug."

"What!?" Wave gawked at him. "How could they do that...!?"

"Such things are tolerated...in the current state of this Empire." Ran said as he looked at his reflection in his cup. "That's why I decided to change this Empire. There are two ways to change this country. Destroy it from the outside, or correct it from the inside. I chose to correct the Empire from the inside. Had I chosen the other method, I probably would have joined the revolution."

"I see." Kurome said. "That was a close call."

"How did you end up choosing to change the Empire from the inside?" Wave asked him.

"It was because the governor of Joyou was a lady. She took a liking to me, and I was able to climb up the ranks quickly. That was how I obtained my Teigu as well." Ran told them. To be more precise, I seduced her...but I probably shouldn't tell Wave that. He chuckled. "Anyway, for the children who died, I have to keep climbing and obtain power!"

"I'm on your side, Ran!" Wave exclaimed. "Whether it's a country or a person, this sick has to be corrected!"

"Thank you, Wave." Ran smiled. "Then first of, you have to stop picking fights with Wild Hunt, especially in plain sight."

"Uh...um...yeah, but we can't just leave them alone..." Wave told him.

"I heard that General Esdese is quelling the West Kingdom's resistance at an unbelievable speed." Kurome said. "It's only a matter of time before she's back."

"Great! That'll make a huge difference!" Wave exclaimed with excitement.

"So don't worry about anything Wave." Ran smiled at him. "Please rest well and recover your strength." The three of them continued to have their conversation until it was nighttime. With the moon high overhead, Ran made his way along the silent streets, his boots clicking against the cold ground. Rubbing his hands together for warmth, he drew his scarf around his neck to block the cold wind.

"Where are you going, Ran?" He paused in his steps, turning his head slightly at the sound of Kurome's voice. "Let me guess...to Wild Hunt's station? I think there's more to your story."

"Kurome..." He said as he turned to face her.

"That person who massacred all the school children...is a member of Wild Hunt, right?" She asked him. "And that's why you're going to Wild Hunt. To pick a fight in a way that's not 'in plain sight.'"

"You've deduced that much already, huh." Ran sighed after his plans have almost been foiled. "It must have been written all over my face."

"Wave probably hasn't realized it, though." Kurome told him.

"That's fine. He's more of a straight-forward type of person, so something like this wouldn't suit him." Ran nodded his head in agreement.

"Yep. That's why I didn't tell him anything." Kurome giggled as she remembered leaving Wave's room silently, the man snoring in bed. "But I'll help you." She eyed Ran with determination. "No matter how you look at it, what they're doing isn't helping the Empire in any way. And I'll never forgive them for almost killing Bols' family on just a whim!"

"...Thank you, Kurome." Ran gave her a nod. "Well then, we don't usually work together like this, but I'm counting on you!"

"Yeah!"