CHAPTER 11: THE DREAM

It was late at night, and most of the crew had gone to sleep.

Mine left her bed to go grab something to drink. It had been a fulfilling day, but she wasn't sure things could really have gone over this smooth. Something felt unresolved.

When she entered the kitchen, she noticed a figure sitting by the window in the dark. "Akame?" she said, alerting her.

Akame turned to gaze at Mine. "Yes?"

"You're still awake?" Mine filled a cup of water before walking over.

The sword fighter nodded, then turned her gaze back out the window. "There are evenings where I like to weigh my thoughts in meditation. Tonight, is one of those nights."

"Got ya," Mine acknowledged, taking a seat next to her. "What's on your mind?"

When Akame opened her eyes again, there was concern in them, although she kept her gaze fixated out the window. "Have you not asked yourself how it's possible that this man survived my blade?"

Mine squinted in surprise. "What?"

"He was poisoned… yet he survived. It is inhuman to survive such a thing."

"He's powerful," Mine clarified. "And he suffered from a curse before. Apparently, that gave him some abilities."

"A curse does not enhance its victim," Akame went on. "A curse is destructive. This man possesses an ability that has yet to be explained."

"Maybe…" Mine tried to think it over. Apparently, Akame wasn't so accepting of what had happened before. In Mine's eyes, it was a miracle that Sanfred was still alive. However, just like the 'miracle' of her running into Sanfred two times by chance, this circumstance had the potential to be suspicious.

Unlike her comrade, Akame was focused on the facts. "This man found a way to survive deadly poison. He has not explained himself properly. If we are to trust our lives living with him, I would like to know more."

Mine sighed as she started looking out the window now as well. "He's an open book. You can always just ask him."

"I will," Akame said, squinting her eyes now as she tried to imagine how that would go. "And whatever answers I acquire, I will not hesitate to share with the others. You clearly care deeply for him, so I understand you don't want to imagine that he's malicious. Therefore, I will make it my duty to watch him closely. If there is ill intent, I shall detect it. And if I see him attempt to betray us… I will slay him."

"You can't slay him," Mine argued. "He's one of us now."

"I still suspect him," Akame insisted. "He has yet to truly earn our trust."

Even though she was upset, Mine just nodded. "Fine. Be that way. He won't betray us. And eventually, you will accept that he's a good man. Just you wait and see."

Akame finally looked back into Mine's eyes. "You really are into him, aren't you?"

Mine just glared uncomfortably. "Why does everyone have to give me such a hard time about it? I like him, fine. I admit it. Can we just drop it already?"

Even though she'd been acting serious, Akame couldn't resist a faint smile. "Do not mistake my skepticism for a lack of joy. I am very happy to see that you have found someone you care so strongly for. I truly hope that it all works out."

Although she was embarrassed by the subject, Mine managed to calm down. "Fine. Thanks… I hope so, too."

Suddenly, Akame reached over and extended her arms across Mine's shoulder. She hugged her from the side, and the mood quickly went to a more peaceful one.

It was hard for Mine to register how she felt. She was grateful. Everything that was happening… she wasn't accustomed to it. It had been ages since she found joy in the good things in life. Before this, she found pleasure in killing evil beings with her Imperial Arms. But now, she was discovering something different. And thanks to that, she really wanted to explore this path.

For now, it was late, and Mine decided to return to bed. Akame remained by the window, exploring her meditation further. In time, more truths would come to light.

But when Mine climbed into bed, she was uncharacteristically lonely. She was cold, like she didn't recognize her own bed. When she thought about Sanfred, she wanted to be in bed with him. The thought of being here alone while he was in another room bothered her.

It was dependence. She had begun to depend on Sanfred's presence. "Dammit," she muttered out loud, now that she was aware. It was softening her up to be like this. She didn't want to turn into a damn teddy bear. She was still a genius sniper, and a professional assassin. Having shed her tough skin for a soft dress didn't compliment her.

This wouldn't do. Mine sat up, repositioned her pillows, adjusted her sheets, and then got as comfortable as she possibly could. Once she was fine, she leaned on her back, with her hands crossed behind her head. "This is the life," she said with a smile, as she stared up at the ceiling. Then, she closed her eyes.

When she opened them again, there was a large arena before her. While she stared in disbelief, people were cheering loudly. This looked like…

Sure enough, a large bull pranced into the arena, grunting loudly as it surveyed the scene. Mine found herself in the audience, looking down at the spectacle. At this point, she knew this was a dream, yet she was aware of that fact.

Then, he appeared. Sanfred walked out onto the grounds, dressed in bright red and yellow garments. Instead of holding his trusty scimitar, Sanfred had a red cape, with a symbol stitched into it. To Mine's surprise, it was the owl and moon sigil for Night Raid.

The bull noticed Sanfred right away, and he began to pick up speed. Moments later, the bull launched swiftly toward him, aiming its horns low. But Sanfred walked to the side, barely even reacting. As he did, he waved the cape, displaying lots of activity. Somehow, he managed to perform while barely moving his hands. The bull made three different twists to try and land a blow, but Sanfred was unfazed.

During the next charge, the bull found some success. He got a horn through the cape and punctured it right where the owl sigil was. As soon as it did, red blood began to flow, even though it should have only been a cape.

That caused Mine to check Sanfred again… and she saw it. A trail of blood oozing down by his throat, where the bull's other horn landed. After that, the matador fell to the ground, gasping for air.

"No…" Without thinking, Mine found herself leaping down into the arena. As soon as she did, the audience gasped in surprise. Mine ran over at full speed, until the bull noticed her. When it did, it launched like a bullet, straight at her, one of its horns still red from Sanfred's blood. Mine leaped in the air gracefully, dodging the attack. She came back down next to Sanfred and grabbed his sword. She pulled it from the sheath, just as the bull returned for another attack. Instead, Mine leaped backwards, jabbing the blade at the bull's throat. It connected, causing the beast to grunt in loud pain. Mine ended up falling to the ground… but so did the bull. And it didn't move again after that.

With the bull slain, Mine crawled over desperately to Sanfred. She hurried to check on him, but he was lifeless. The blood continued to gush out from his throat, and even the unstoppable bounty hunter had finally met his match.

But Mine… felt it. It was so real. She shut her eyes…

… When she opened them again, she was staring up at the ceiling. Her face was covered in sweat, and she nearly fell out of the bed once she came to. "Fuck," she swore, hating what she had just witnessed.

It was just a dream, but it had to have appeared to her for a reason. What that reason was, remained a mystery.