Chapter delayed because of irl distractions.
Pieces.
Tatsumi could tell that Esdese had company long before she entered his room. He could tell that there was a rather big group that walked with her through the doors to her quarters. A couple of rooms away from him.
He was sitting on the floor in his large cell. For some reason he preferred to not use the furniture in it. He didn't know why but the only thing he had really used in his cell was the bed. He guessed that it was some sort of protest against his imprisonment but he honestly didn't know. The thought of refusing to sit on the chairs he had been provided just seemed pathetic to him. Yet he still preferred to sit on the floor.
This had made Esdese change the furniture in the room a couple of times. Changing his chairs and table, since he didn't use them. Hoping that he would start using them if she just found some that he liked. But it had not given her any results. Their communication in general had been very strained ever since he was put in his cell.
Tatsumi had been locked up in that room for almost three weeks now and their relationship had become a strange tug of war of affection and coldness.
Tatsumi refused almost any contact with her that didn't concern the important issues. When would he be allowed to have visitors? What was happening outside? What could he do to make her more likely to set him free? But Esdese had little interest in talking with him about these things. Giving him the cold shoulder whenever he tried to talk to her about it. Being cold, hard and rather unfriendly when it came down to those things.
When it came to everything else, their roles were reversed. Esdese wanted to do everything with Tatsumi that didn't concern the things that were so important to him. She wanted to talk and joke around with him, as they had done before. She wanted to cuddle and wrestle. She wanted to kiss and bite him. She wanted to be intimate and loving. She wanted to push him around in that affectionate and dominating way. She wanted things to be like they had been before.
But in those scenarios it was Tatsumi that acted distant and apathetic. Ignoring her words and not responding to her in any way. Not giving her any of those things that he knew that she craved until she gave him some ground on the things that he was most concerned about. Which she hadn't done yet.
And so it had gone on. Both of them taking turns in trying to get what they wanted from each other. Both trying to regain diffrent parts of what had been. Both of them wanting to give in to the other one's wishes but not allowing themselves to do so.
Esdese's visits had been a bit random but somewhat regular. Coming by at least once every two days. Whenever she managed to get a break from her extensive duties. Sometimes just to try and hug him and talk. Sometimes walking over in the middle of the night in nothing but her shirt. Often feeling that her own large bed now suddenly felt way too empty and lonely. Crawling down into Tatsumi's small bed and then holding him in an iron grip throughout the night. Not allowing him to move about.
Sometimes she came over with food that she had made for him. Instead for his usual meals. Always trying to feed him what she had made. Trying to turn it into a game. Not letting him have any until he let her feed him herself. Wanting him to submit to her wish to care for him. But Tatsumi never played along. When Esdese denied him the food for too long, he simply stopped trying. Abandoning his attempts at getting food. Moving away from her. Despite both of them hearing the growling of his stomach.
Sooner or later Esdese usually gave up and let him eat the food on his own. Not wishing to deny him. Not wanting to nurture any anger he held towards her. Not when she could avoid it. Watching how he ate from some meters away.
These days had been a hard balance for her. She intended to change some parts of him. But she didn't want to damage the other parts that she loved so much. She was somewhat unsure of how to proceed. So she had chosen to play it slow. She felt no need to be hasty about this. She didn't want to make any mistakes in this situation. Even if she so badly wanted things to return to what they had been.
And so three weeks had passed.
Tatsumi sat on his knees by the bars in his cell and waited as he heard how the group closed in on his position. Keeping his eyes on the door.
Esdese entered the room alone. Even if Tatsumi could tell that the rest of the group was waiting just on the other side of the door. His years of training giving him the perceptive abilities to do so. Some parts of him were quite well developed even without the power of Incursio.
Esdese gave Tatsumi a glance when she entered. Then looking over at Incursio. Checking that it was still locked up in it's place. After that she walked up to the bars. She grabbed one of them with a hand and bent forward a bit so that she was closer to the level of his eyes.
"How are you doing there, my cute little thing?"
Tatsumi met her gaze. "I sure could go for a walk out in the sun."
Esdese ignored his not so subtle request. "I think you would be more comfortable in one of the chairs."
Tatsumi just glared at her in response.
"There, there. Don't pout like that." she said and reached a hand in between the bars. But as it was about to land on Tatsumi's chin, he edged back slightly. Moving out of her reach. Esdese's hand hovered in the air in front of his face for some moments before she straightened up.
She sighed. "You know that even if I didn't have the keys to your cell, I could just destroy these bars and catch you in a heartbeat."
"You could." Tatsumi answered emptily.
"So then why do you put up this petty resistance against me, when you know that I could easily crush it and take what I want."
"I don't want to make you believe that you have my consent to anything." Tatsumi said. Coldness moving into his voice.
Esdese just looked at him for some moments. He had hit his head on the nail of her problem. His consent. Or rather, his responses to her advances. That was what she wanted back. That other half of what their interactions had been. But she was determined to get it back. She had taken him back before. She could do it again. Even though things were admittedly more complicated than ever this time.
But even so, she enjoyed just being near him. Even like this.
"In due time, Tatsumi." Esdese said. Her usual confident smile forming on her face. "In due time."
"Why did you come here?" Tatsumi asked indifferently.
"Do you think I need any other reason for coming here than wanting to be close to you?"
"You usually don't bring a group of people with you when you just want to see me." Tatsumi said and nodded towards the closed door.
Esdese smile grew a little as she started to walk along the line of bars. "So you're still able to sense them even without Incursio. That makes me happy."
Tatsumi kept silent and looked at her. Her tone was making him cautious. It was a bit too sweet. It almost felt threatening. There was also a certain gleam in her eyes that made him wary.
"I am quite a busy woman, as you well know, Tatsumi. I would not have been able to meet with you today if I had handled my duties normally. So I decided to move some of them here."
She snapped with her fingers and the group outside of the room started to move in through the door.
"So that I can enjoy your company while I work." she said and looked at those entering.
The group that walked into the room carried a strangely formed table with them. Most of them were soldiers. Accompanied by two torturers. Tatsumi watched the group with unconcealed contempt. He recognized what that table was used for. It was a torture bench. After they mounted the table up on the other side of the bars, the torturers started to leave. Tatsumi's eyes moved to Esdese's as they did. But she was only smiling at him.
He was wondering if the bench was intended for him but he highly doubted it. And his theory was swiftly confirmed when the next pair walked through the doors. To his dismay.
He immediately recognized the two persons that walked into the room. The first one was a man in his fifties. He was slightly overweight and was wearing the uniform of the more highly revered guards down in the dungeons of the palace.
It was Juro of the imperial guard. Carrying a backpack over his shoulder. Leading the one beside him with chains.
Tatsumi knew the officer from before. He was one of his contacts. Juro had helped him meet with Leone just after she was captured so long ago. The man had been loyal to Tatsumi after he had provided him with medicine for his children. Medicine that Juro himself could not afford. The man had no idea about Tatsumi's information network or his ,now not so hidden ,agenda. He had just helped Tatsumi with some small favours under the table here and there. Such as arranging his short meeting with Leone.
But it was not the appearance of Juro that made Tatsumi halt his breath. It was the young woman beside him. The girl walking on shaky legs with her back bent forward. Her shoulder slumped and her head facing the floor. She was wearing what looked like a bar maid's uniform. Even if it was dirty and torn.
Tatsumi felt dread fill him at her appearance. He knew who she was even with all her brown hair covering her face.
She was his main informant in the capital. Disguised as a bar maid. Working in a bar in the slums. She was a focal point in the criminal information network in the capital. He had talked to her a hundred times. She knew almost everything that he had done. And a great deal more than just that. Since he came to her for information. He didn't even know her name. They had kept that out of their relation for security reasons.
His eyes widened slightly when he saw her but he managed to stop any other reaction from showing. He could feel Esdese's gaze on him without even looking at her. She was searching for a reaction from him. Studying him. Trying to see if he recognized them.
Tatsumi immediately realized that this was not a coincidence. He felt fear for what was going to happen. Not that he showed it. He turned his eyes to Esdese.
"I would prefer to not have to watch your torture sessions." he said coldly as the soldiers started to lock the woman to the torture bench.
Esdese tilited her head slightly to the side as she looked at him. Smiling. "Is that really all there is to this, Tatsumi?"
"What do you mean?" he asked. Doing his best to seem indiffrent.
Esdese just smiled at him. Her eyes slightly amused.
When the soldiers had locked the girl down on the bench they left the room. Leaving Tatsumi alone with Esdese, Juro and the now locked down girl.
Esdese moved her gaze to the girl and walked over to her. She nodded to Juro when she got close. The man immediately drew his knife. Tatsumi slowly stood up in his cell. He slowly started to walk towards the bars.
"Why are you doing this, Esdese?" he asked and looked at her.
"We have reason to believe that this woman has been working to undermine the military for many years now. But we don't know to what extent." Esdese said and took a couple of steps towards the torture bench. "So we are going to have a nice long talk and see what we can find out."
As she said that, Juro started to cut through the clothes the girl was wearing. Working his way through her entire attire until she was laying completley naked on the bench. Tatsumi tried to get eye contact with the man but when he finally met his gaze, it scared him. Juro's eyes were empty and distant. Lacking all the warmth and kindness that they usually had. It made Tatsumi uneasy.
Esdese looked the woman up and down.
"Well, someone has been taking care of herself." Esdese praised. "You must have been able to draw a lot of customers with this body."
"Jealous?" the girl said with exhausted defiance. Speaking for the first time since she had entered.
"Do I seem like someone who is insecure about myself?" Esdese said and put her hands on her hips. "Just wanted to give credit where credit is due. Not that you will be pretty for much longer."
"Are you really going to torture her just because of some meager suspicion?" Tatsumi asked. Already knowing the answer. "This seems unreasonable."
"The evidence against her is far from meager." Esdese said calmly. "The only question is how grave her crimes are."
Tatsumi was unsure of how hard he could press against Esdese in this situation before it started to seem suspicious. Not that he thought that his own situation would grow any worse if his involvment with her was revealed. He was only afraid of her fate. He had to try and save her. But it was a hard thing to do in this scenario.
He walked up to Esdese. Stadning next to her on his side of the bars. He looked at Juro. Esdese noticed his gaze. Her not so friendly smile widening slightly.
"Ahh Tatsumi, my reports tell me that you have met Juro from the imperial guard already." she said and gestured to the older man.
Tatsumi looked up at her. Her eyes were smiling at him in a way that made him very uncomfortable. She had some sort of plan here and he didn't know just how bad the situation was. But just deeming from her behaviour, he would guess that it was pretty bad.
"We have met before." Tatsumi said emptily and returned his eyes to Juro. The man met his gaze but Tatsumi could not read anything from him.
Esdese nodded. "Well then, Juro. Start giving her some of the injections."
At first the man shied away from her when she spoke but when she made her request he immediately started to search through his backpack with a almost frantic enthusiasm.
Tatsumi just looked at him for some moments. The realization dawning on him. It was something about his posture and demenaour that gave it away. He was a seasoned man, with all the confidence and experience that warranted from a soldier. He had always had a certain pride and dignity to him. But not anymore. It was as if he was a completely diffrent person. Tatsumi suddenly knew what had happened.
He turned his eyes to Esdese. Not able to hide some of the anger in his voice. "What have you done to him?" he asked.
Esdese returned her gaze to Tatsumi. "I thought it would take longer for you to realize it." she complimented. "I see that confinment haven't dulled your insincts yet."
"What have you done to him?" Tatsumi asked again. His voice irritated. Failing a little to keep his emotions at bay.
Esdese turned her smile to the older man. "I don't think it is fitting for you to keep this charade up, Juro. My partner has already seen through it. You should start behaving like what you really are again."
Juro had frozen when she spoke but as soon as she was finished, he put the backpack down beside him. He quickly started to take off his clothes.
"Esdese." Tatsumi demanded.
"Were you close to this man, Tatsumi?" Esdese answered as she watched Juro undress. A certain dark satisfaction in her voice. "Because all my reports only say that your relationship with this man was shallow at most."
"Yeah but that doesn't mean that I enjoy seeing him reduced like this." Tatsumi said. "Why have you done this to him?"
"He has stepped over his boundaries many times during his service, Tatsumi. Sometimes aiding you while he did." she said and shot Tatsumi a glance. "So I decided to see just how much he knew about your betrayal."
"Is that all it takes nowadays?" Tatsumi asked rheotorically. "A slight little suspicion."
Esdese turned her eyes to the man in question. "Don't stand so straight, Juro." she ordered as the man was removing the last of his clothes. "That makes it seems like you are our equal."
The man immediately went down on his knees. Keeping his head down. Tatsumi looked at the man. His stomach and chest was wide. His age was showing. His entire body was covered in red marks. Way to wide and large to have been cause by something akin to a whip.
Tatsumi didn't want to know what even half of them were from. His face filled with pain.
"That is more appropirate." Esdese said calmly. Her eyes leaving the man. "You can resume your task now."
Juro crawled over and started to dig through the backpack again. Tatsumi crouched down so that they were on the same level.
"Come on, Juro. You are better than this and you know it." he said loudly.
"The word you're searching for is "was", Tatsumi." Esdese interjected cruelly.
Tatsumi shot her an angry glance and then looked at the man again. For some moments the older man met his eyes but they were as empty and bereft of emotions as the eyes of a dead man.
"Snap out of it, Juro. "
Esdese giggled slightly. "It is futile, Tatsumi. He doesn't want to come back."
Tatsumi kept trying. Even if he had a feeling that she was right. "Think about your children. Do you think they would want to see their father like this. The father that they are so proud of."
"He doesn't have any children anymore, Tatsumi." Esdese's sweet voice informed him. He turned his eyes to her. "I fed them to him two days ago."
Tatsumi's face grew empty at those words. His expression blank. He slowly rose up.
"The flesh that he put on this earth has returned to him. That is almost always a good way to break a parent's psyche." Esdese continued. Sounding as if she was talking about the weather. "Seeing their children suffer and die because of them often makes people flee to places in their heads where they don't have to deal with the rest of the world anymore. And they rarely come back after that. Considering that I later fed him food made of his own children probably seals that deal. Since I told him about it afterwards."
Tatsumi immediately shifted focus. Juro's fate filled him with bitterness but he had to focus on saving the girl in some way. Since Juro was already done. And while Juro had known little about Tatsumi's plans, the girl knew almost anything. And she was next. He looked over at her. Their eyes meeting.
Suddenly Esdese was standing right beside him. He didn't know when she had gotten so close. She reached in with an arm between the bars and grabbed his jaw in a very gentle grip. She turned his face to her. Moving him closer to her own face.
Before Tatsumi had decided if it would be better to go along with her or oppose her, Esdese stole a kiss from him. Quickly and lightly pressing their lips together between the bars. She looked at him as they seperated. Her tone dangerously sweet when she spoke.
"Do you know anything about this woman, Tatsumi?"
Tatsumi already knew what he was going to say. But first he looked over to the torture bench. The girl chained down to it meeting his gaze. None of them nodded or gave each other any signs or revealing gestures. But Tatsumi could see the strong determination in the girl's brown eyes. They had an understanding.
"No, I can't say that I remember her from anywhere."
"Is that so?" Esdese said and moved a bit away from his face. "You see, I have been told that you used to frequent the bar that this girl worked undercover in."
"Maybe." Tatsumi said and shrugged. "Do you remember the face of every attendant you meet?"
Esdese nodded. "Reasonable. So I guess that you don't care about what happens to this traitor then?"
"I would prefer it if you didn't do this. I have seen enough suffering for several lifetimes already."
"You are strong, Tatsumi. You will manage. Unlike this young girl." Esdese said and let go of his face. Turning towards the torture bench.
Tatsumi followed her on his side of the bars as she walked towards the chained up girl.
"Come on, Esdese. I don't think I can stomach more violence right now. Don't do this." Tatsumi tried. A bit of his panic showing through.
"I will need to find out exactly what this girl knows. This is the easiest way to do so."
"Do you have to do it here then?" he asked in a desperate attempt to buy time. He reached out between the bars and grabbed one of Esdese's hands. "Can't you at least give me that?"
Their physical contact made Esdese stop. Looking down at his hand. It had been rare for him to touch her on his own accord ever since she put him in this cell. Her smile widened even more. She knew that this had been a good idea.
Her hand suddenly tightened around his own in an iron grip. She quickly pulled it out between the bars. Causing his body to ram into them. Then she leaned in and put her nose into his hair. Esdese forcing his entire body against the bars by her strong pull at his arm.
She drew a couple of deep breaths of his smell as she whispered. "I would give you so much if I just knew that I had you. Just give yourself to me like you used to do. Let me have what I want."
"Will you spare her if I do?" Tatsumi asked silently. Trying to struggle against her pull. Even if he knew that it was futile.
Esdese rubbed her nose against his head some more. "No." she answered calmly. Suddenly her hand let go off his. Making him fall down on his back into his cell. Since he had been pulling against her hold.
"I have a duty. I will need to learn what this girl knows. Since I can't trust you."
Tatsumi quickly rose up but Esdese had walked away from the bars. "Give me my tools, Juro." Esdese ordered as she walked up to the girl.
"Won't you listen to anything I have to say?" Tatsumi shouted and grabbed the bars.
"I listen to everything you have to say." Esdese said. Taking a small bag of tools that Juro held out for her. "But I need to find out what this girl knows. Though you can bargain about her death with me, Tatsumi."
She brough up a metal tool from the bag. It looked like some sort of pincer but Tatsumi knew it's purpose. He had seen Esdese use it before. Back when she forced him to visit the torture chambers with her. Back when he had just gone over to her. Back when he had just started to create his schemes.
It was a tool that was meant to keep the victim's eye open against their will.
Esdese caressed the side of the girls face softly with her free hand as she moved the tool closer to her face.
"If you make me a good enough offer, Tatsumi, I will end this girl as soon as I think she has told me everything." Esdese said to him without leaving the girl's eyes with her own. The young girl's gaze frantic and scared. Even if she still kept her composure.
Tatsumi knew that it was a bad situation but desperation still made him go on. He immediately started to bargain with Esdese to lessen the girl's suffering. Raising his voice in order to be heard over the girl's whimpering as Esdese began her work. Using the only thing he could barter with.
Himself.
The wind blew heavily outside of the windows and the sound of rain smattering against the glass could be heard clearly. Nothing but darkness could really be seen through the windows of the train as it stormed through the wilderness. It felt like the insides of the rapidly moving train was the only thing remotely alive in the entire world.
Akame walked through room after room. Moving towards the back of the train. Moving between the giant carts. Nodding to the few people that she knew as she passed them. The train was so large that each carts was made of up several rooms, not only lenghtwise but sidewise as well. Forcing Akame to sometimes travel from side to side in the carts in order to reach their end.
The rooms she wakled through were filled with people. Most belonging to the revolutionary army and it's allies. The carts closest to the front of the train was more decorated and furnished. Including mats, tables and chandliers. Most of the leaders and members of the administrative part of the organization resided there. Discussing plans around tables while they ate or worked through stacks of paper.
The further back you got through the train, the less furnished and more barren the rooms were in terms of decorations. They were still filled with people though. Soldiers and warriors. Sitting together on stools around boxes or windows. But the rooms were still bright, warm and filled with the smell of food. A very nice atmosphere in contrast to the howling of the wind and intense raining that she had to face when she walked between the carts.
She was followed by the leader of the Path of peace. Walking by her side in his long robes. Talking to her in his mellow tone as they traveled through the rooms.
"But everything is ready, either way." he calmly stated.
"And you are sure that they won't be able to find a trace of what it actually was before? If Makeias realize where he is then that might change the outcome of this plan completely."
"I am sure. The pillager won't have a clue of what he has walked into. Should the negotiations turn grim."
"My guts tell me that they will." Akame said lowly.
"Then why still have this meeting?"
Because we have to stop Makeias, one way or another, she thought. "We need to give peace a chance."
"Agreed." the tall man beside her said. Akame could hear the doubt in his voice. She wondered if it was directed at her intentions or whatever or not diplomacy had any real chance.
"Either way, Makeias has finally decided on a time. I expect you to attend that meeting once again." she stated. It was an order, even if her tone didn't suggest it.
"I had hoped to avoid it. Especially if you think this meeting might devolve into violence. Me and mine are not fighters. We would just get in your way."
Akame looked at the man over her shoulder. He was for once not wearing the huge animal skull that was a part of his religious attire. But his face gave her no clue to his real intentions. His expression comforting even if his eyes were sad. She didn't know if she could trust the man entirely.
When the revolutionary army's chances of winning their conflict had started to shrink, his side of the Path of peace had stood strong with them. Showing no intention of leaving their side. But a lot of things had happened since then. Most notably had been how they had revealed to night raid that they would be having a meeting with Makeias in secret, just a day before the meeting would take place.
Akame had happened to be nearby and made an attempt at finishing the general off but had sadly failed. A failure that remained in her nightmares to this day. Constantly providing her with guilt, stemming from what could have been avoided if she had killed the pillager that day.
But normally they would not have been able to act on information given to them with such a short notice. It was mere luck that Akame was close by. Which of course made them question why the the religious movement took so long to inform them about it. And why they were having the meeting in the first place.
The movement's answers to both these questions had been vague and diffuse. Blaming trouble in the information network and that the pillager wanted to have the meeting in order to discuss the exchange of some trivial information for personal use.
They have not been able to find out exactly what went down during that meeting since many of Makeias' men managed to escape the meeting along with himself. They had never found out what it was that happened during that meeting.
So Akame, and Najenda before her, had decided to keep the leadership of that organization close. In case they were trying something.
"It would seem strange if you didn't participate in the meeting itself when you did so the first time. Nothing can seem out of place." she said and returned her gaze forward. Her tone leaving no room for argument.
The man behind her sighed but didn't say anything.
They were reaching the end of the train. The last two carts were darker and not so well lit up. Used for storage. When they reached the last cart they were met with a locked door with three guards. Two of them footsoldiers and Isamu. Stationed on the large platform between the last cart and the one next to it.
"Has she done anything?" Akame shouted when they got close. Needing to keep her voice loud in order to overpower the loud winds and the sounds of the train itself.
"Nothing at all." Isamu shouted back. Despite that fact that the group stood huddled together. "She just sits there. At the end of the room. I don't even know if she has eaten anything."
"Is she uncooperative?"
Isamu shook his head at her. "Not at all. She just doesn't do anything unless we tell her. She seems determined to not cause any ruckus."
"Okay, good. You can go and get someting to eat. I will handle this for a while." The soldiers nodded and started to walk into the other cart but Isamu remained.
"Is this really a good idea?" he shouted with worry. "If we lose you right now we are done for."
"Nothing is going to happen." Akame assured. "At least not today. Go back in and warm yourself."
Isamu was still for a moment but then nodded and walked past her.
"Go and get your people prepared to leave as well." she said loudly to the leader of the Path of peace. "We need to be off this train thirty minutes after it stops. Any longer delays than that and it might start to draw attention to this train and those who own it."
The tall man nodded and turned around. When he had disappeared into the other cart, Akame turned towards the closed door.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She had to do this. What she had said about giving peace a chance had mainly been a diversion, but she still felt like she needed to do this. She needed to try again. Especially now that it posed no danger or threat to do so. At least she thought it didn't.
She brought forth the keys to the door. Unlocked it and entered.
The room she entered was large and mostly empty. A single lamp hanger from the ceiling. Swaying back and forth with the shaking of the train. Making the light in the room move around.
In the end of the long room sat Kurome. Resting on a chair in front of a table. Her teigu laying beside her on the table. They had decided to let Kurome keep Yatsufusa. Everyone knew that it posed a risk but it seemed like an even bigger one to try and take it from her. Especially since she would be locked up for most her time with them.
Kurome was looking at Akame as she entered. Her face empty. Akame met her gaze steadily as she slowly moved into the room. There was a lot of tension in the moment. The rythmical sound of the train running over it's tracks was the only thing that could be heard. Akame stopped when she was in the middle of the room.
"I came to talk a bit." Akame said. Acting more relaxed than she was. Trying to dismantle the tension a bit.
"I was wondering if you would show up." Kurome said. Her eyes moving down to the table. "I am a bit suprised that it took this long."
"You knew I would come. I would have been here a bit earlier but I have been quite busy." Akame explained.
Kurome didn't answer. She just stared at the table and her sword. Akame slowly took another step forward.
"Just to make one thing clear." she said carefully. "I did not come here to fight you, Kurome. Even if that is the only thing you are interested in doing, we should not do so now. Not today. Okay?"
Kurome was silent for a little while before she answered. "I have no intention of fighting you while I am in this situation. Even if I beat you, there will be too many of your friends coming for me to survive. I will not get into a suicide fight."
Akame nodded. "Good."
The room fell silent again after that. It was hard for Akame to come up with a way to smoothly move into the next question so after a while she decided to just ask it straight out.
"Kurome. Why did you leave the empire now and not with me earlier? What made you betray them now when you let me go alone?" she said. Asking the question she had thought about ever since she heard about Kurome's defection.
Kurome looked up at her. "It was you who left me. Not the other way around. I was still in the same place that we both had been all along. It was you who decided to leave."
"I had to." Akame stated lowly.
"I don't see how your situation changed that much." Kurome said coldly. "You are still just taking orders. Still just killing whoever your superior points you towards. You are still doing the same thing you did together with us. You just changed your banner and started saying that it was justice."
"Not anymore." Akame said. A small tone of sadness hiding in her voice. "I can't rely on a superior anymore."
"Good for you then." Kurome said indiffrently. "You still chose leave me and all our friends behind."
"And how many of those friends are still alive, Kurome. The ways of the empire has destroyed them all."
"If your rebellion didn't exist then most of them would still be alive. Besides, they are not all gone. Not completely." she added and put a hand on the hilt of her teigu.
Akame was well aware of what Kurome meant with that insinuation but that was not an issues that she could try to tackle now. She had to focus on one thing at the time. "The rebellion didn't just grow out of nothing. It wouldn't have gotten the kind of response it did if it had. It is the same ways of the empire that destroyed your friends that has created the entire rebellion."
Kurome was quick to change tactic. "As if your situation is any diffrent. How many of your new allies still remain, Akame. I have heard that most of those have died as well."
"Yeah." Akame admitted silently. She remained quiet for some seconds. "But maybe I will have some new allies soon." she said and smiled faintly at Kurome.
That caught Kurome a bit off guard. She grew hesitant and her eyes moved down to the table again. Akame dared to take another step forward. Now being rather close to the table.
"Probably not." Kurome said distanly. Acting colder than she felt. "Makeias will never agree to your terms. He would not be able to sustain his forces without raiding the people. He will never get the kind of support from the common folk required to keep his army together without all the looting. General Gallus have seen to that with his hate campaign."
Akame decided to go back to her original question. "Why did you leave the empire to serve the pillager, Kurome?"
"I don't serve the pillager." Kurome said.
"Okay. Wave then. Why did you chose to betray the empire with him. After staying with it through all of this."
Kurome was silent for a long time after that. Staring down into the table. "A lot of things happened."
"But you are working for the pillager's organization now, Kurome. A faction that practises the same cruel actions as the empire. Your choice just doesn't make any sense."
"Maybe it wasn't a choice." Kurome said. Almost too silently to be heard.
Akame thought about the situation for some moments but then decided to not dig deeper into it. She already had her plan of action clear from this point in the conversation.
"But you don't serve the empire anymore." Akame stated. "And you will never be able to again."
Kurome didn't answer.
"But you don't not follow Makeias. It is Wave that you go with. Right?" she said. Trying to sound as friendly as possible.
Kurome looked up at her from her teigu. Akame took that as confirmation.
"Then please just keep doing that."
Kurome's eyebrows rose slightly. Not understanding where this was going.
"Wave is not Makeias, Kurome." Akame continued. "I have had some contact with him. He seems reasonable enough."
Kurome nodded. Both just looked at each other for a while.
"Could you do me a favour?" Akame asked after a little while.
Kurome looked as Akame reached inside her coat and brought forth a letter. She reached out with it towards Kurome.
"Can you give this to Wave the next time you meet him?" she asked.
"What does it say?" Kurome said and slowly reached up and took the letter.
"It isn't sealed." Akame said and turned around. Starting to leave the room. "But give that to Wave. And then maybe I will have some new allies soon."
"Makieas will never join you." Kurome repeated slowly.
"No. I don't think so either. But you don't serve Makeias, do you?" Akame said.
She turned around and looked at Kurome. Her sister had opened the letter and was reading through it intently. Akame smiled, turned around and left the room.
Maybe. Just maybe, she thought as she walked out into the rain. Allowing a small ray of light into her otherwise dark mind.
Esdese rubbed her chin against the side of Tatsumi's head with content. A satisfied smile on her face. Enjoying the moment he had given her. It wasn't quite the same as it had been before but it was somewhat close. He wasn't squirming away from her or just limp in her arms. He sat there and took her cuddling. And even if he didn't return her movements, it was still the best moment Esdese had had for days, if not weeks.
She was sitting on the floor, with her back against the wall in Tatsumi's cell. Tatsumi sitting in her arms. His back resting against her chest and stomach. His legs stretched out in front of him, between her own. His arms hanging loosely at his sides. Not moving much at all. But he was leaning into her with his back. Keeping his promise.
His face was completely empty. His head only moving about when Esdese snuggled her own head against his from behind.
His empty eyes moved to the other side of the room.
The door in the bars was wide open. Esdese being in too much of a haste to get her prize to close it behind her. Not that it mattered. He could never race her to it without Incursio.
He looked out over the other side of the room. Juro was gathering some diffrent tools that were strewn out across the floor. Still naked and on all fours. Blood was still dripping down from the table. The now dead girl laying on top of it. Though it was now almost impossible to tell that she had been a girl before the torture session. That was how badly maimed the body was. The only part of her that was almost completely untouched was her mouth. Esdese ending it as soon as she thought the girl had told her everything she knew.
That was what Tatsumi had managd to bargain for. That was the only small rescue he had managed to give the girl. That Esdese didn't play around with her after she considered herself done with her duty.
But the girl hadn't talked. She hadn't ratted anyone out. She had kept to her story until the end.
Tatsumi had only seen one or two people being able to stand steady in the face of Esdese's competence in this field. But she had. Even if Esdese didn't know it. She had been incredible strong and brave. And she hadn't given out any of her friends to the ice queen.
Esdese hand't really had much patience with her, admittedly. She finished the girl off as soon as it was a reasonable guess that the girl had told her everything. Ending it as soon as it was indisputable that she had done her duty. She had been in a hurry to get done in order to claim her part of the bargain. Which she was now doing.
Tatsumi had agreed that he would let her cuddle with him a little bit every day. Without any unejoyable resistance or acting like a dead corpse in her hands. Letting her do her thing, even if he didn't participate himself.
Arguing with Esdese about letting her cuddle him in exchange for ending another person's life a bit earlier had been another grim reminder of just how crazy she was.
He sat there for a little while longer while Esdese enthustiastically pressed against him from behind. Sometimes increasing the pressure and sometimes loosening it. Sometimes rubbing against the back of his head so frantically that it created friction heat. Sometimes just sitting still with her nose in his hair. Smelling him.
But after a little while, he started to resist. When her grip got a bit looser he started to struggle. Not strongly or angrily. Just slowly moving his body away. Demonstrating that he no longer wanted a part of it. As soon as he started to, Esdese's grip hardened by insinct. Not letting him get away.
"That was way too short." she complained. "At least another five minutes."
"No." Tatsumi said meekly. Trying to move away from her. When she didn't let him, she used his usual tactic. He went completely limp in her grip. Like a rag doll. To Esdese's disappointment.
It wasn't as enjoyable to her when he just acted like a corpse in her grasp. She didn't feel like he was actually there with her. She considered still going on for a while. It was still better than nothing. But she decided against it. Their deal had been for one of these sessions every day. She didn't want to make Tatsumi back out of that deal.
She grabbed his hair and turned his head around. Giving him a strong kiss. Pushing her lips against his. But his head simply moved back and his lips didn't respond to her. His mouth slightly open. She moved her head back a bit and gave him a small and disappointed lick over his lips.
After that she sighed and loosend her grip. Letting him slowly crawl out of her lap. When he had done so she rose up. She drove her finger through his hair as she walked past him. He himself crawling towards the other side if the cell.
She walked out of it and closed the door behind her. Carefully locking it up.
Tatsumi sat up in the middle of the cell. Looking at her as she put the keys to his cell down into one of the breast pockets of her uniform. She gave him a warm grin after that and started to walk towards the door. Tatsumi could easily see that getting to relive a little bit of what she was trying to get back had raised her mood quite a bit. It seemed like she considered their interactions today as a big success.
"Esdese."
"Hmm?"
He looked at Juro. "The other half of the deal."
Esdese's eyebrows rose. "Ahh right. Sorry Tatsumi. Getting to touch you so much made me forget." Esdese genuinly apologized.
She turned around to Juro. She gestured to the old man to come over to her. Which he immediately did. Crawling on all fours. Despite the fact that he had heard when Esdese and Tatsumi agreed on the deal. Tatsumi wondered if hadn't understood their agreement or if he didn't care. He didn't know which alternative that was the worst one.
He rubbed his face in his hands.
"That is good, Juro." he heard Esdese's voice call out. A slight bit sweeter than usual. "Obedience is what's most important for a pet."
Then Tatsumi heard the loud smacking sound of something hard hitting something soft. Followed by the incessant and intensive yelping of Juro. He sounded more like a dog than a man. High pitched and without words. It went on for three seconds. Then it was interrupted by a quick snapping sound. As if someone had broken a twig. After that, the room went quiet. A second later Tatsumi heard the light thump as Juro's body hit the floor.
He lifted his face from his hands.
Esdese was throwing one of her tools over to the torture bench. Juro lay dead before her on the floor. Face turned away from Tatsumi.
She turned her head towards Tatsumi again. "This has been quite enjoyable, Tatsumi. But now I need to get on with some of my other duties." she said with a warm smile. "The attendants will be here to clean up this room in an hour or so."
Tatsumi's gaze left Juro's body and went up to her eyes.
"I will cook dinner for you tomorrow." she continued as she started to walk towards the door. "I hope that you will look forward to it."
He just looked at her in silence. His expression too empty to even be considered a glare.
Esdese turned towards him in the doorway. "See you tomorrow, my sweet little Tatsumi."
With those words she walked out of the room. Closing the door behind her. The echoing of her steps fading until the room was completely silent.
Tatsumi remained sitting there for a long while. Then he slowly rose up. He walked over to the bars. Grabbing them as he looked at Juro. He still couldn't see his face. There was a pool of blood slowly spreading out from the old man's neck.
The fate of the man stung Tatsumi greatly. Almost more than the girl whose name he never learned. She had at least willingly engaged in all her treachery. Totally aware of the full extent of what it meant. Juro had not. He had simply thought that he was doing Tatsumi some insignificant, albeit illegal, favours. He had simply been trying to repay his debt to Tatsumi. Expressing his gratefulness for saving his children in any way he could.
The children that Esdese had killed. And now Tatsumi had made her kill him. Believing that it was a mercy.
"I'm sorry." Tatsumi whispered silently. He looked over at the thoroughly mutilated corpse on the table. "I'm sorry."
He slowly fell down on his knees. His arms clasping the bars above his head as he struggled with the tears.
"I'm so sorry."
Author's note:
Not much of a silver lining in Tatsumi's camp in this chapter. But things might get better. A lot of things are still to happen in this arc.
A couple of very minor characters appeared and ended here. I understand that it might be annoying to some that I introduce these characters over and over every time they appear. But I think it is necessary. Juro's last appearance was in chapter 4. And since you people have to endure my release pace, the last time many of you read about him might be almost eight months ago. So it seems unreasonable to demand that you should have a clue of who he is. That is why I re-introduce the minor characters when they appear.
Ran into some problems irl that delayed this chapter more than expected. A lot more actually. And whenever this story takes too long with it's releases, people always start to ask when the next update is coming or telling me to update soon. And you know what? I love it! Every little inquire is more proof that this story has engaged people. It's very rewarding.
However, this chapter was delayed for a bit too long. Even for me. The next one shouldn't take that long. I've got some time on my hands now so the next one will probably actually only take 7 days. Hopefully.
Thanks a lot for reading. All your comments and engagement in this story is what keeps it moving.
Take care of each other.