Akame's POV

I took in a deep breath and leaned back against the tree trunk.

It was a great day, the cloud was a light blue, with white puffs floating around. The sun was out, seeping through the leaves of the tree.

I am sitting on top of this hill, the only tree around was the one behind my back. A light breeze cause the leaves to rustle and fall.

The wind reminds me of him, Tatsumi.

"What are you doing all the way up here?" Speaking of the devil.

"Tatsumi."

"That's me." He said with a smile and sat down on the other side of the tree. At least I assume he did.

"Did you need me?" I asked. My voice was quiet, but I'm sure he picked it up.

"Do I need a reason to talk to my girlfriend?" He said. I knew he couldn't see anyways so I didn't even bother trying to suppress my blush.

That's right, a few month, almost half a year ago, we became lovers. But because of the war with the Empire, these few months were far from "Romantic".

I brought my knees to my chest and hugged it.

On that topic, what even is love? I really don't get it. I sighed, wishing I had read some books about love when I had free time.

A worthless thought really, no one really has time for love or curiosity when they spend their free time either training or indulging in food.

I sighed again. He spoke up.

"What's wrong? You're sighing a lot. It's not like you." Ah.

"N-nothing." We became silent again.

Tatsumi had come back the day before yesterday. I was really happy to see him unscathed, if anything, he seemed to give off a powerful aura. But he also seemed just a little bit nervous when I spoke to him.

It also didn't escape my eyes the bulge in his pockets.

At first I was sure he was hiding some sort of food item from me, but then again, he would never do that. He wouldn't betray my trust like that, but if it isn't food, what else could he be hiding? Even now, he seemed a little hesitant when talking to me.

"Akame, about what you said this morning." My eyes widened.

So that's why he was hesitating.

"I'm… serious." I said, pouring in all my resolve into my words.

"I am meeting up with Kurome tomorrow." I said.

Everyone froze. Soon, Najenda took another puff of smoke and looked me in the eyes.

"What do you plan to do?" She asked. I clenched my fists.

"I will fight her one on one. This is my duty as her sister, and the only I can do for her." Leone, Bulat, Hayami stayed silent, Tatsumi spoke up.

"Why… must you kill her?" He asked hesitantly.

"I… She is suffering heavy side effects from the booster drugs the Capital has been feeding her. She's been living off of them for years now, even if we force her into rehab she probably won't survive. The most I can do for her is to take her life." Tatsumi probably noticed my shaking voice, and went silent again.

"I will go there alone, please don't follow me." I said. Leone stood up abruptly.

"But what if she isn't as honest as you? What if she brings re-enforcements and –"Bulat put a hand on her shoulder and she stopped herself.

"I trust her, she is my sister. I have to." I ate my last bite and turned to Najenda.

I bowed my head.

"Please, this is my first and last request." She took another puff.

"I have no business interfering with your personal matters. And I couldn't very well ignore your first request now can I?" She said with a smile. My eyes grew wide and I raised my head.

Her eyes grew serious again.

"Don't die, the end is approaching." I nodded.

"Thank you."

"I'm… serious." I said, pouring in all my resolve into my words.

"I know. I can tell that you are serious." I heard rusting and looked up, he walked in front of me.

"That's why, Bulat, Leone, Hayami and I have discussed and we've decided we will support your decision." He said. My eyes widened slightly in surprise.

"Aren't you afraid I'll die?" I asked. He chuckled.

"Of course I'm afraid, but I believe in your resolve. You won't allow Kurome to suffer and die after she kills you. But Akame, Leone and I will definitely follow you."

I shook my head. "You can't, if you stepped in and saved me, then killed Kurome, I –"

"We won't. I promised we won't. We will be there in case someone follows Kurome."

"Like who?"

"Wave. I may have spoken to him for only a few days, but he definitely cares about his comrades. He will likely follow Kurome, we will be there to stop them."

I grew silent at that likely possibility. After all, he was definitely not willing to pass my message. I can tell, he is likely in love with Kurome. Call it a sister's intuition.

"But, if I die in front of you, what will you…" He sat down beside me and pulled me into a hug.

"Then don't. Don't die. If you die, Kurome will suffer and die, I will suffer, Leone will suffer, we will lose the war, and millions more will suffer. For the sake of this war, for the sake of our friends, for the sake of your sister, for the sake of me. Win."

I closed my eyes, feeling his heartbeat. It was steady, reliable, calming.

"I understand." I whispered before I let that blissful darkness engulf me.

Tatsumi looked at the beautiful sleeping in his arms and thought back to what happened afterwards.

Flashback – A few hours ago

Tatsumi stepped out of the house and walked up to the giant sleeping dragon.

Akame had disappeared off somewhere. Of course, he knew where she was. But he felt she needed some alone time after her request a while ago.

"Hey Kaiser."

"What."

"You heard all that right?"

"Of course. What do you want to ask?"

"The lake. Can it cure addictions?" Kaiser snorted. He stood up and stretched his wings.

"I don't know much about the properties of addiction. But I have a decent understanding of the Human Anatomy, after all, Mineko was a healer."

"I thought she only had her Teigu."

"Of course not, she was a medic long before she obtained her Teigu. I can only theorize that addictions are caused by a huge release of some chemical compound in the body. The body then becomes dependent on it. Ceasing to use the drug causes the Chemical Compound to disappear, but since the body is dependent on it, removing it causes organ failure and death. Does that seem about right?"

"Yeah, I don't know much about addictions either." He flapped his wings and a huge gust of wind blew past me.

"The lake left by Mineko has healing properties and the ability to revive someone from the dead because it used Mineko's own life force as fuel and power. In fact, if she had used that Trump card at her prime, she could probably revive more than one person, and the healing granted by the lake would be instantaneous."

"But she used it on the verge of death, and about 90% of the life force left went to revive your dying ass. So the healing granted by the Lake is significantly lower than before you died. Even so, it can definitely prevent death by organ failure. But the pain will definitely not ease."

"In other wards. It will definitely be painful, it will take a long time, but she definitely won't die?"

"Yeah. But remember that the lake is at the bottom of a huge valley. Someone without the ability to fly or climb the walls will never be able to get back up again."

"… I don't think we have to worry about that."

End Flashback

I lightly and slowly stroked her hair.

I can't tell Akame yet. Doing so will weaken her resolve, if Kurome doesn't accept her help Akame will likely die.

"Don't worry Akame. I won't let you suffer again."

Kurome sat on her bed. Watching the seconds' hand of the clock slowly move.

It was close to midnight.

'Onee-chan should be waiting for me at the usual place.'

The Outskirts of the capital, an abandoned temple in the middle of the Gyou Forest.

Years ago, when Akame was still part of the Empires assassin group, they would meet there often and talk for hours on end.

That was their place, and the place where she would die.

Kurome grabbed her partner, Yatsufusa, and her bag of cookies.

Laced with drugs, these cookies were what kept her alive day to day. Even if she wanted to defect form the Empire, she definitely will die as soon as these drugs wear off.

She shook her head and wiped her doubts. Her comrades, memories and loyalty were all in the Empire.

She then grabbed a plastic case, within it were the real battle drugs. Created by the scientists of the Empire, these drugs can cause an exponential increase in physical attributes.

But of course, it destroys your body from the inside. She reached up and touched her hair, and looked at her hand. A clump of hair was in her palm. She smiled bitterly.

'My end is near. At the very least, I want my sister to be the last thing I see.' She thought.

The clock hand hit 12:00

Kurome stood up, times up. She strapped Yatsufusa to her waist and tucked the drugs into her pocket. She walked to the door and opened it.

"… Get out of the way." Kurome said.

"You are not going anywhere." She smiled. If anything, he's definitely stubborn.

"What are you going to do?" She asked him.

Wave stood in front of the door. He's tried multiple times in the past 5 days, trying to convince her. He still hasn't told anyone else about their meeting, and Kurome was very thankful about that.

"Whatever it takes. I will even fight you." Kurome shook her head.

"You won't be able to beat me, I will not hold back against you and you will not be able to use your full strength against me." He seemed to know that, and turned his face away.

She could hear him gritting his teeth.

'He's trying so hard to protect me. He may be an idiot, unreliable, and definitely stubborn, but…'

She doesn't dislike him.

His words and effort make her feel warm on the inside. A feeling she hasn't experienced since the trial in the forest with her Onee-chan.

But this was something that she had to do.

"Wave, I won't live long, my last wish is to die by my beloved onee-chan's sword." His eyes widened in anger and he opened his mouth to yell something, but Kurome didn't let him.

On her tiptoes, she tilted her head up and intercepted his lips. He froze.

'This is a gift. Thank you.' She clenched her fists and punched him in the stomach. He bent over from the shock.

His vision grew fuzzy and he fell to his knees.

The last thing he heard was her apology.

Kurome confirmed he was knocked out and began walking again.

'Wave, if we meet again in another life, I would probably fall in love with you.'

She focused her thoughts.

This was the end.

'Onee-chan, I'm coming.'

Wave's POV

Her lips were soft. Fragile.

As my consciousness faded away. I heard her whisper.

"Sorry, see you in another life."

I drifted around in the darkness.

What the hell am I doing?

I clenched my fists.

I am weak. So freaking weak. Can I not even protect one of my comrades?

Can I not protect the girl I like?

Why?

Have I reached… my limit?

I felt a soft warmth from behind and light entered my eyes again.

I sat up quickly, and looked towards the heat source.

A pair of discs. Slightly larger than my fist.

Thousand Mile Fly – Mastema.

The legacy of Run.

That's right… I still have something to do for him don't I?

Avenge his village. He told me about his past after the Wild Hunt began ravaging the Capital.

He's cheering me on from somewhere isn't he?

That's right. Why am I hesitating?

'But if you are able to duel wield, then you can easily break through your limits and fight on par with Tatsumi.'

Captain Esdeath said that.

Tatsumi. He is strong. On par with Najenda, a strength I seek.

If he can do it. I can do it.

"Run. Please. Lend me your strength."

I tore down Kurome's door and looked at the clock, 12:30, I was knocked out for half an hour.

I have to hurry.

I quickly equipped Grand Chariot and flew up into the sky, as far as it could take me and over looked the entire Capital.

It was huge, seeing the entirety of it awed me once again of its size, but now's not the time.

At night, the Capital was nearly deserted. Especially with Wild Hunt recently terrorizing the streets.

For once, that was a good thing.

I scanned the outskirts of the Capital, there's no way an Assassin will agree to fight in Enemy territory.

My eyes landed on an abandoned church, sticking out of the forest in a clearing.

That's it. I'm sure of it.

As quick as my armor could carry me. I rushed right to the Church.

Akame's POV

I opened my eyes as someone approached the church.

"Kurome." I said.

"Onee-chan." She replied. I looked down and looked her in the eyes. I clenched my fists.

She was pale. Really pale, as if she would faint at any moment. Her hair lost its old luster. Her eyes were dull.

I will save you, I promise.

"Onee-chan, you were followed?" She asked. Good to know her senses haven't dulled.

"Don't worry. They are here to prevent interference. I made them promise not to interfere." I said with confidence.

She nodded without hesitation.

"I trust you Onee-chan." I patted the space beside me and she responded by jumping up.

We stared up at the moon.

This brought back so many memories. We used to meet up here around midnight whenever we could. We would fight, train, and talk until we've lost our voices.

"Onee-chan, I love you. Which is why I still can't forgive you for betraying the Empire. Why? Was the revolution more important than me?" She whispered.

I shook my head. Back then, Kurome was definitely more important than anything to me.

"I was never truly faithful to the Empire, though I probably didn't know this back then. I definitely couldn't forgive it for separating us, and for hurting you. I couldn't in the right mind follow the Empire once I realized how disgusting it was." I said.

"But all our comrades."

"You were more important to me than them. I planned to take you with me, find a way to cure your addiction. But I underestimated your attachment to this place."

Her comrades that died. Her comrades that were still alive. Those were the invisible chain that prevented me from saving Kurome years ago.

She started giggling.

"Ahh, how different would things be if I had went with you years ago." I nodded.

"But that's impossible. Things have reached a point of no return a long, long time ago. I love you so much onee-chan…" She said still giggling, and jumped off the wall.

"But at the same time, I hate you for betraying me. Even right now, this unending war is waging inside me." She pulled out her sword.

I clenched my fist and lowered my head.

"I love and hate you so much onee-chan, which is why I will not let you die by anyone else's hand." She said. She popped a pill into her mouth and dropping into her stance.

In the end. It came down to this huh?

"Me too. It was my fault, I was weak and couldn't convince you back then, now you are suffering from my weakness. It is my duty to save you." I dropped down and pulled out my sword.

"It is time to make amends."

Kurome raised her sword and dozens black bolts of lightning shot into the ground. The ground broke up and more than 30 black shadows emerged.

But none of them lasted for more than 5 seconds.

Akame flew forward and in the blink of an eye, all the revived creatures fell to the ground, limbless and unable to move.

Akame quickly engaged Kurome in a swords flash, clanging echoed from the battle and sparks flew off their swords.

Akame found herself being pushed back as the drug began to take its effect on Kurome.

"Onee-chan, over the years, they improved this drug. It's several times stronger than the one you are used to fighting." Kurome said, her crazed eyes stared into Akame's as she pushed her back.

Akame slightly moved her wrist and Kurome's sword began sliding down Murasame. Kurome looked surprised and quickly moved out of the way, closely dodging a knee that would've knocked her out.

Akame ran forward to engage, this time, fighting in a different style.

Akame had 2 styles of fighting. The assassin's style taught to her by the Empire years ago.

And her own style, one that she's been polishing ever since being in the Elite 7.

Agile. Unpredictable. Using all her physical abilities, tricks, and sword skills to avoid and attack.

That was her style.

Kurome grit her teeth as she slowly started losing ground. She was faster and stronger, but she couldn't even come close to landing a hit.

Raising her sword, Kurome felt an impact and slid backwards. Akame pointed her sword at Kurome.

"Here I come." She whispered. She bent her knees ready to move when a voice reached her ears.

"KUROME!" Akame heard the whistling of the wind and looked towards that direction.

Out of the tree line, Wave in his Grand Chariot flew into the clearing.

"Kurome!" He yelled. Kurome looked surprised and angry.

"Why did you follow me!?" She yelled back, seemingly desperate.

"Night Raid! You will die here!" Wave ran forward by his senses warned him and he slid to a stop. A green arc barely missed his arm.

Tatsumi walked out of the tree line along with Leone and looked at Wave.

"Wave, don't interfere." Tatsumi said.

Wave glared at Tatsumi, the man who killed Run.

"Why should I listen to you?" Wave said in a threatening voice.

"What happened the last time you fought me?" Tatsumi said with a smirk.

Wave grit his teeth and ran at Tatsumi. Tatsumi pulled out Shinatsuhiko and they began fighting.

"Leone, keep sharp in case there is more. I will deal with Wave."

"Got it." Leone said before moving back into the trees.

I made eye contact with Akame and nodded, before ducking another punch from Wave.

Akame looked back at Kurome, who was watching worriedly at the battle and smiled a little.

'It seems you found someone you like.' She thought. Kurome seemed to feel her gaze and returned her focus back onto the battle.

Once again. The clanging of swords echoed in the forest.

Wave's POV

He ducked under the punch.

Damn it.

He side stepped my kick.

Damn it.

He swung his sword and split my helmet in half.

DAMN IT.

"Wave, you won't be able to beat me as you are now." He said as if he was talking about the weather.

"SHUT UP!" He sighed and swung his arms. A huge force slammed into me and I flew backwards, hitting a tree.

"Gah!" I coughed and landed on my knees. Grand Chariot deactivated and I was left with my normal clothes.

This wasn't even a fight.

I punched the ground in anger, I felt nothing but pain in my hand.

He wasn't even duel wielding. I still can't touch him. He is so freaking strong. Stronger than even Akame.

I clenched my fists and reached for the discs behind me.

Tatsumi seemed to notice and yet, he stood where he was originally.

He's looking down on me.

"Damn it. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME!" I went to grab the disc when I heard her voice.

Her voice echoed in my head.

Flashback – A few weeks ago.

I punched the wooden dummy again and again.

"999, 1000!" I yelled and I spun kicked the dummy, it's head snapped off and flew towards a person.

She was sitting on a bench nibbling on a cookie when she noticed the wooden head.

She brought up her sword and sliced it in half in an instant.

'W-Wow.' Wave thought.

"Watch where you kick things." She said.

"S-Sorry. Are you okay?"

"You made me drop my cookie." She said in deadpan voice.

Oh shit, I'm soooo dead.

"Please forgive me!" I yelled and bowed.

She sighed and looked at me.

"…You've been training hard." I looked back up.

She was looking around the training ground. I nodded.

"Yeah, I… I have to get stronger. But Captain Esdeath said I was already at my limit."

"How do you plan to break that limit?" She asked.

"Captain Esdeath suggested I duel wield. Just like Tatsumi." She looked me in the eyes.

"Wave, you are an idiot." She said.

"Where did that come from?!"

"In the past millennia, only Tatsumi has successfully duel wielded. If you aren't a moron, what are you?" I shrunk down.

She sighed.

"Wave, if you ever try to duel wield. Stay calm, focus, strengthen your will." I looked at her confused.

"Will?"

"Yeah, will. You are probably the most stubborn idiot in the history of the universe."

"Hey."

"Strengthen your will. That's the only thing you have going for you. Remember, if you end up dying some stupid way like exploding inside out because you tried to duel wield, you'll go down in history with the reputation of biggest moron."

"You are really mean today."

"Really? Maybe because I dropped my cookie." With that, she walked away.

I went back to the headless dummy.

"Will…" I brought back my fist and started punching it again.

I took a deep breathe.

That's right.

"The biggest moron in the history of the Empire doesn't have the right to date someone like Kurome can he."

Bols, Seryu, Run, Kurome. Lend me your power. Lend me your will.

"Tatsumi, I declare right now, on my pride as a man, I will save Kurome."

He smirked.

"Do it if you can."

I grabbed the discs behind my back and activated it.

They flew behind my back and wings sprouted out.

I grabbed Grand Chariot. Feeling it's weight in my hands.

I raised it up to the sky and stabbed it into the ground.

"Come. GRAND CHARIOT!"

The Spirit of the Grant Chariot, an ancient armored humanoid danger beast, was the exact opposite of the spirit of Incursio.

Always stable, never changing. It moved around the world, overpowering any creature that attacked it and survived any climate out of sheer force of will.

The Spirit of the Grand Chariot climbed out of the ground and stretched out its arms. It's war cry echoed into the Capitol.

The Wings of Mastema stretched out, its wing span more than doubled.

The Spirit of Grand Chariot slouched over, the armor on its back cracked.

Wave yelled out in defiance as indescribable pain enveloped his entire existence. It felt as if his body, no, his soul itself was being pulled apart.

He spat out blood as he struggled to breathe.

But he wasn't going to give up here.

"HEAR MY VOICE. MY NAME IS WAVE, THE MOST STUBBORN IDIOT IN THE HISTORY OF THE UNIVERSE. KUROME, I WILL REACH YOU!"

The Armor on the back of Grand Chariot broke, pure white wings sprouted as its new roar shook the continent.

A whirlwind blocked Tatsumi's view of Wave for a second, Tatsumi looked up.

The full moon behind his back. Wave looked down on Tatsumi. His wings spread out and he shot down at Tatsumi.

"GRAND FALL FLUGEL!"

The earth shattered beneath them, completely destroying the Church and uprooting the surrounding trees.

Kurome and Akame both felt the shock wave and were blown away.

'Bury. Bury. Bury. BURY!'

The word that she carved into her mind, associated with the wiping of feelings and emotions.

The word that turned her into a ruthless assassins.

She desperately repeated the words inside her head, while she attacked Kurome again and again.

It was not easy. It hurt. But she had to do it.

It was her duty.

"Damn it. DON'T UNDERESTIMATE ME!" Kurome widened her eyes for an instant and turned her attention to the other battle.

This is my chance. I flew forward, Kurome quickly turned her attention back to me.

"Shit!" She yelled and leaned backwards, but it was too late. Murasame landed a hit on Yatsufusa and it flew out of her hand.

I then spun and kicked her in the stomach, she flew backwards and skid to a stop.

I stepped up to her.

"Onee-chan." She closed her eyes and waited for her end.

I brought my sword up and closed up my heart.

"I'm sorry. I couldn't do anything for you. This is… the end."

"Come. GRAND CHARIOT!" A huge shockwave blew past and I turned my attention to Wave.

The spirit of Grand Chariot, the never changing beast, sprouted wings.

A Whirlwind surrounded him and he disappeared.

'Fast!'

She followed Tatsumi's eyes and saw Wave dropping down.

"Tatsu-" Too late.

The earth shattered and everything in the surrounding area was blown away. I felt the force, an unstoppable force and I flew backwards.

I braced myself for impact, but instead felt my body being caught.

"You okay?" He asked.

"Tatsumi! Are you hurt?" I asked upon realizing who he was.

"Of course not, that wasn't fast enough to hit me, I have my trump card remember?" I breathed a sigh of relief.

"Where's Wave?" He shook his head.

"This battle is over. You don't have to kill Kurome." I frowned.

"Tatsumi, you promised."

"Just wait. You'll be happier this way I promise." He winked and waved his arm. The dust around the clearing was instantly blown away and revealed the scene on the other side of the clearing.

Wave placed Kurome on the ground and she looked back up again.

"Wave, why did you come?" She asked.

"To stop this fight of course." She grit her teeth.

"I told you, I don't have long left, at the very least I-"

"Don't talk like that!" Wave yelled. "I will find a way. I will carry you around the entire country, no, the entire world if I have to. I will find a way to heal you. I won't let you die!"

"I won't follow you. I can't follow you. The war is still going on and – "

"Who gives a shit about the war?" Kurome stopped and glared at Wave.

"Wave, are you betraying me too?"

"No. I'm neither betraying you nor the Empire. What I'm doing is withdrawing from this fight for your sake." Kurome looked away.

"I can't… defecting from the Empire is unforgivable, I know that..." Wave pulled her into his arms.

"Don't worry. Even if the world turns against you, I will be by your side. I won't let anyone do anything to you." He said. Kurome was shaking.

"Night Raid. Kurome and I will be withdrawing from the war. That does not mean we are joining your side." Wave spoke from the other end.

"Wave, why are you doing this?" Akame asked.

"Because I love your sister." He spoke without hesitation.

"… I see." Tatsumi smiled before looking at Wave.

"If that's the case. West of Mount Fake where I ditched you last time, there is a deep valley. At the bottom of the Valley is a lake and a great Oak tree. The Lake has special healing properties that will definitely prevent Kurome from dying. You can he-"

"Shut up. I don't trust you. You could be laying a trap for us, or attempt to kill us." Wave yelled in anger.

"Hmm?" Tatsumi looked at Wave with a smile. A sudden wave of bloodlust washed over him and he felt his hand trembling.

"Kill you? Capture you? If I wanted to do that, I could've done that anytime I wanted. You can't beat me Wave. You know that don't you?" Tatsumi said.

Fear filled Wave. Grand Fall Flugel. It was most definitely his fastest and most powerful move. But somehow Tatsumi wasn't hurt in the slightest. In fact, Tatsumi followed Wave with his eyes.

'I can't beat him.'

If what he says is true. Then I can…

"It's up to you whether you go or not. I guarantee she will live. But be warned, the pain that comes when she stops taking the drugs will definitely persist. But that's your job isn't it."

Akame looked at me surprised.

"Tatsu-" Kurome's voice stopped her.

"Stop! I can't defect from the Empire. They said so… My comrades, my memories. If you continue Wave. I will kill you too!" She screamed.

She went to grab Yatsufusa, but it was too late.

Wave snatched it out of the ground. The wings on his back spread out and he crushed Yatsufusa in his hands.

"Ah…" Kurome seemed to have lost her strength.

"You don't have to do anything anymore. You've suffered enough. Leave everything to me from now on." Wave whispered.

"I-I-I… Wave…" She said weakly.

"Kurome. My home town is by the ocean. Have you seen the ocean before?" She shook her head. Still in a daze.

"Then when you recover. I'll take you there. It's really pretty. Vast, Blue, Cool. You'll love it I promise." She began crying.

"Do you want to come with me?"

Slowly. Her head bobbled up and down. Wave smiled.

"I love you." He turned to Akame and Tatsumi.

"I will trust you Tatsumi. But if I find out that you tricked us and I survive. Mark my words. You will die by my hands."

"Do it if you can." Tatsumi said. Akame stepped up.

"We will fake your deaths. As long as you guys don't get found out, you can go wherever you want." Wave looked at her uneasily.

"Are you okay with me taking your sister?" Akame nodded.

"It's better than me taking her life. But if I find out you mistreated her, I will send you to the kingdom come." Wave chuckled.

"I think she is capable of that herself." He turned around, Kurome in his arms.

"Onee-chan." She said quietly. Akame went up to her.

"Kurome, live safely. Recover. I'll come visit you." Kurome smiled and nodded.

"Thank you. Love you, Onee-chan."

"Then, good bye." Wave said and carried her off.

As soon as Wave was out of ear range. I turned to Akame.

"He's gone." She turned to me with a slight glare.

"Why didn't you tell me Kurome could be saved?"

"It would've weakened your resolve, you would've ended up dying in the fight."

"I could've convin... I guess not. I think only Wave could've done that." She said after some thought.

"He's amazing. He managed to do what I couldn't, and even duel wielded like you." She continued.

I nodded. If anything, his Willpower is incredible. Neither Mastema nor Grand Chariot seemed like a sentient teigu. In other words, he managed to suppress both and control them with willpower alone.

"Yeah. He's amazing. But that aside, Akame, it's okay now." Akame stared at me.

Her eyes brows tilted, and tears emerged from the edge of her eyes. I wrapped my arms around her and she began sobbing.

"…Akame, are these tears of sadness or relief?" I asked quietly.

"… I don't know." She replied.

"You should be happy. Smile. Laugh. No one died and your sister was saved today." She nodded.

"Thank you."

"Why are you thanking me?"

"In the end, you're the one who showed them the path aren't you?"

I shrugged.

"Who knows?" She smiled and wiped her tears.

She closed her eyes and turned her face towards me.

I accepted the invite and met my lips with hers.

'I've been completely forgotten haven't I?'

Leone thought as she sat in the tree. Looking down on the lovey dovey couple kissing in the middle of the crater.

"Who cares? It's good to know some people are finding happiness in the midst of chaos."

She stood up and walked out of the treeline. With a smile on the face.

"Hey! Let's head back."

Hot damn this chapter was long.

Hope you all enjoyed. Summer vacation is coming up soon so hopefully I can finish this story by the beginning of September.

Until next time! - BzS