Disclaimer: All characters from Akame ga Kill that appear in this fanfic rightfully belong to Takahiro. I do not own anything; I have Takahiro to thank for that.

Please bear with me if I make any mistakes or errors, especially in terms of the language (spelling, grammar, etc.).

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Chapter 15—Kill the Distance

"Since we are not born in the same time...

Yes. Only after the moment we met,

then we'd share the same time together.

From here, the story of me and you begins."

-Hurting Heart (FripSide)

Location: Imperial Palace. Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day 91).

Tatsumi was lost.

Scratching the back of his head in exasperation, the new sergeant tried to work out where he had taken the wrong turn. But the unfamiliar place he was currently in only complicated things. He shouldn't be getting lost like this. Although he had no intention to sound condescending, he knew that his sense of direction was definitely far superior compared to both Sayo and Ieyasu. Then again, the latter's sense of direction was beyond awful.

Hypothetically, Tatsumi could navigate himself through dense forests. However, the situation on hand was different; he was trying to find his way around the Imperial Palace, which was larger and far more complex than any place he knew. The palace was supposedly designed like a labyrinth to deter assassins. Tatsumi thought was a crafty design that helped protected the emperor. But now, he felt like cursing the architects because he couldn't find his mentor.

Aimlessly, he turned a few corners, partly betting on luck that he would stumble upon someone for directions. There was no one around but his boots touched paved floor and he recognized the area to be the courtyard. Tall round white pillars lined adjacent to each other and revealed a pathway that led to the hall and possibly into the palace's interior.

"Now I'm getting somewhere. Although I still don't know where that somewhere is," he muttered.

"Indeed, it is strange that I would find interest in something other than conflict and slaughter." A silvery voice sounded and Tatsumi realized that it was coming from around the next corner of the hallway.

"Ah, is this about love?" The sergeant felt the hair from the base of his neck rise as the familiar voice of Honest rang out.

"Even I'm perplexed. However, I cannot stop how I feel." The female voice held genuine confusion and it took Tatsumi a while to identify the speaker.

His eyes widened. 'General Esdeath!'

As a newly appointed sergeant with little noteworthy achievement, he didn't get the privilege to have an audience with the Ice Queen during her return gathering. But from the brief interactions he caught between his mentor and Esdeath, he knew that the latter was a woman who even Mamoru seemed to respect.

Normally, a person like her was easily discernible just by voice alone, but because of the perplexity that filled her words, he would have never guessed that the speaker was the formidable Esdeath, if not for the slender silhouette that was shadowing the hallway.

'They're coming this way!'

In no way did he wish to look like a lost fool standing idly, Tatsumi obscured himself behind the nearest pillar. He pushed his back into the smooth surface and suppressed his presence as he was taught. To mask his presence to the point of non-existent like Mamoru was currently infeasible, but he would be contented if he went unnoticed. He would just have to hold his breath and wait until they pass by.

"As a human being, it's normal to be interested in the opposite sex," said Honest. His footsteps were heavy and resonated. "I actually thought you were a little slow in this area."

"I understand. Then this is animal instinct, too." Esdeath's neutral expression changed into a smirk. Whatever confusion she had on the topic was thrown to the side as her thoughts drifted to her new assignment. She was pleased; the prime minister had invited her to a hunt with worthy prey. "Well, for now, I'll simply take joy in hunting Night Raid. Although I must say I do not see why you need to reassemble The Four years after its disbandment. My subordinates and I are should suffice."

"Make no mistake; I don't doubt your ability. But I thought it would be best to reassemble The Four and let you enjoy a little reunion with your former allies while it's still diplomatic around here. I think it's better be safe than sorry." Honest stroked his beard thoughtfully and commented, "And by the way, I also do not see why you need to assemble six Teigu users when you already have The Three Beasts. I think it's a little too much to request six of them… Ah, but I'll manage the preparations since it's your request. Until then, I wish that you'll make haste. Unrest is going strong after all."

"Fu, such impatience," Esdeath huffed, with the slightest hint of amusement being dragged out from each syllable. There was another strident tap coming from her high-heels, followed by a less paced step before she stopped completely. Whirling around, her gaze hardened to resemble two immoveable icebergs as she placed a hand on the rapier hanging from her belt. "You! I know you're there. Come out. If you don't, I'll attack."

Tatsumi felt the hair on the back of his neck rise. Disinclined to be pierced by icicles and turned into a dead porcupine, he held his hands in surrender and stepped out of the shadows. How foolish, he thought, that he believed he could get away. Esdeath was obviously far too vigilant to be deceived.

"Er. Good morning, General Esdeath and Minister… It sure is a nice day, isn't it? Perfect for a stroll." With nothing better to say, he tried removing suspicion on himself by feigning innocence. It wasn't like he intended to eavesdrop, though openly declaring that he was lost sounded so pitiful that he would rather not mention it unless compelled to.

"Sergeant Tatsumi… Whatever the reason is, I'll have you know that I despise noisy people," Honest chuckled darkly, his eyes narrowing to a dangerous level. He didn't enjoy being eavesdropped at the slightest, intentional or not. Just how long was the boy snooping around for? And how much of their exchange did he overhear? Although it was nothing confidential, Honest detested sleuth-like behavior with passion. So meddlesome!

"Sorry, Minister. I didn't mean to intrude. I'm… I'm actually just looking for my mentor." Tatsumi forced himself to act modest in front of the Prime Minister, though it was easier said than done. From the moment their eyes met, Tatsumi found the Prime Minister insufferable. It was no understatement to call the old man a horrendous beast in human skin.

"Mentor? Sergeant Tatsumi? Hoh, so you must be General Mamoru's new apprentice." There was a faint trace of amusement latched onto Esdeath's tone as she hummed lightly. "Hmm, raise your head so I can get a better look."

All of Tatsumi's senses tingled at the authority in her words. Comprehending that his disobedience would most definitely irritate her, he heeded her words. His eyes locked with the general's, unsure where else to look. He involuntarily swallowed an Adam's apple. It was his first time being in close proximity to the Ice Queen and he was amazed with what he saw. 'God, she's… so beautiful!'

As if suffering from a meltdown, it took time for his brain to reboot itself. Thoughts finally managed to filter through and he was left astounded that the Ice Queen, who was renowned for her cruelty and strength in battle, was actually a beautiful woman in her early twenties. But what was more surprising was that there was currently no menace in her fair countenance, something that he found dubious for a woman practically born for battle. He couldn't help but shed a shimmer of curiosity and speculate why such a fascinating woman would be so obsessed with warfare.

"Enlighten me, Tatsumi. Why are you looking for General Mamoru? Do you need immediate attendance?" Esdeath asked as she conducted a scrutiny of her own. The brown-haired boy had a medium physique that was becoming more prominent with daily training. Just looking at him, she thought the boy was more endearing than anything else. However, she was quite certain he would lose his childish features and become more handsome in due time. Regardless, his appearance was not what piqued her attention. Anyone untrained would found it difficult to perceive, but one look was all it took for Esdeath to decipher the untapped potential that Tatsumi possessed. Perchance that was why Mamoru bothered to take him in as an apprentice. The Silencer was meticulous in that sense.

'How strange. I'm enthralled by the prospect of this boy becoming stronger. Is he the one I seek?' There was something about Tatsumi that sparked her interest. The way that the boy's green eyes shimmered dazzlingly captivated her and for the very first time in her entire life, Esdeath felt an odd but warm feeling enveloped her beating heart. It was fleeting, though it left behind an undying impression.

"To be honest, it's not really urgent," Tatsumi replied, his mind replaying the scene where he accidently chipped his blade during training. "You see, I was just hoping that Mamoru-sensei would take me to the blacksmith. Argh! I knew I should've checked and refined the blade before practice."

"How careless of you," Esdeath noted with a tone that bordered a slight tease. "Well, aren't you old enough to go by yourself?"

"…Yes, I don't need babysitting." Tatsumi's lips pursed. Who knew the Ice Queen would pull on his leg like that. "It's just that I'm still not too familiar with the Capital."

"Hmm, is that so?" Esdeath's elegant eyebrows narrowed in contemplation before she extended an arm towards Tatsumi. "How about this then? I'm free this morning and wouldn't mind personally escorting you around, Tatsumi. I know quite a few celebrated weapon forgers who are more than capable of repairing your blade for a reasonable price."

Tatsumi stared at her outstretched hand and considered accepting her invitation. After weighing his options, he found no harm in having the general accompany him. In fact, turning her down meant he would've to continue searching for Mamoru, who may choose to be fickle and simply dismiss him.

"Esdeath-san, I'll be counting on you then." With the worst case scenario in mind, Tatsumi decided to accept Esdeath's invite and took her hand.

"Naturally." The immediate response came with unrivalled confidence, leaving Tatsumi in no doubt that this was a woman who enjoyed have dominance in conversations. And as if to ascertain her controlling position, Esdeath quickly seized Tatsumi by the wrist, urging him to follow her gait.

Location: Imperial Palace. Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day 91).

"What the hell am I seeing?" Hidou's mouth dropped as he watched the scene below him unfold in a manner that he didn't anticipate. Perched on the rooftop of the palace, the Wildfire gritted his teeth in pure frustration as Esdeath departed with Tatsumi nipping her heels. Try as he might, his intelligent mind couldn't fathom why the woman he admired was so captivated by the so-called 'Flyer Boy'. A jab of inferiority kicked in and he whirled around to snarl at Mamoru, who stood silently behind him. "This is your fault! Why the hell did you bring him here?"

Seeing the self-centered and sardonic general all riled up would've brought pleasure to most people, but Mamoru's stoic façade didn't twitch an inch. Nonetheless, there was a glimmer of mockery that danced in his sapphire pools as he countered Hidou's words. "Don't blame me if you lack charisma."

"Charisma? So you're saying Flyer Boy has enough of it to woo Esdeath-san while I don't? Hmph, don't be stupid! The only one I'll say he can possibly lure with his charm is you. After all, isn't that why you recruited him in the first place?"

Mamoru kept his arms crossed and paid Hidou no heed, merely continuing to study the clouds with an uninterested look. Responding to the provocation would be the same as being governed by his emotions, something that he deemed despicable because of his professionalism.

"Oh? No answer. Wow, I didn't know you swing that way," Hidou taunted with a condescending smirk.

"…"

"Tsk. You're no fun at all." Tired of the monologue, the Wildfire stopped trying to goad the Silencer. As expected, he wasn't going to get the reaction he wanted from the pokerfaced man. Frankly, Hidou was convinced that Mamoru would only show intense emotions when his sister was involved. And while the Wildfire knew about the weakness, he would never try to probe it. He refused to admit it out loud, but an angry Mamoru unnerved him a lot. Emotional display was so infrequent from the Silencer that even Hidou had only seen it once, yet that served as an adequate warning. To begin with, there was a reason why the horrifying rumors about Mamoru continued to spread, even when the general was being his usual inexpressive self.

"Ah, Esdeath-san has changed… and in a way that I didn't foresee," Hidou muttered, mostly to himself but loud enough for Mamoru to hear.

"People change with time." Much to Hidou's surprise, Mamoru actually replied while keeping his gaze towards the sky, still engrossed with a particular cloud that oddly resembled an aquatic-type Danger Beast that Hidou couldn't put a name on.

"No shit, Sherlock. But seriously, who would expect love of all things to change Esdeath-san. Wanting to fall in love? Hmph, it's so bloody preposterous that it makes me want to puke." With irritation fueling his action, Hidou whipped out a document from his pocket. "Can you believe she distributed this to almost every associates of the Empire? The sadistic battle maniac I know would never have wasted her time writing stupid criteria for a fiancée that matched her taste!"

Hidou patted the paper with the back of his hand, rolling his eyes as he read, "Above all, he must possess the potential for a great future. I would personally like to train him into a highly ranked general. Second, he must be fearless, and able to hunt Danger Beasts. Third, much like myself, he must have been raised outside the Capital. Fourth, since I will be controlling him, he must be younger than I am. And last but not least, it would be nice if he has a pure, innocent smile."

"You fail the last three conditions," Mamoru pointed out matter-of-factly. Hidou's crush on Esdeath was so obvious that almost all Imperial generals but the Ice Queen herself knew about it. That awareness brought Mamoru the insight to Hidou's current vexation. In a way, it was so amusingly entertaining that even he couldn't resist emitting a low derisive snort that Hidou most definitely could hear.

"Hmph, you're finding this sidesplitting, aren't you? Hell, I don't even know why I bothered sharing my problems with a heartless assassin like you," Hidou grunted and fisted the hand with the paper. With nothing else to vent his anger on, he proceeded to destroy the crumbled document, letting it burn to crisp with his powers.

"… I merely speak objectively," Mamoru commented stiffly, and Hidou had to wonder if he was offended somehow. Not that it really mattered regardless, but it was surprising to grasp that the usually apathetic general didn't like being labeled 'heartless'.

A sarcastic smirk crept across Hidou's face after the flames enveloping his hand died down. He opened his palm and the wind instantly picked up the unrecognizable charred pieces he had. Somewhat contented, he turned to Mamoru again. "Hey, why do you sound like you're not involved in this? Like me, you're a possible candidate for Esdeath-san's suitor. Ah… but I guess you don't fulfill her criteria either. I mean, you weren't raised outside the Capital, right?"

"I was."

"Huh? You… Hang on! Don't tell me you're younger than Esdeath-san?"

Mamoru's nod made Hidou's complexion turn pale.

"Hell, this is preposterous. Haha!" The Wildfire's forced laughter exposed his apprehension momentary before it morphed into a wholehearted cackle. "Hahahaha! I can't believe I was actually nervous for a second. Hmph, there's no way you're the prince that'll sweep Esdeath-san off her feet. Heh, because the day I see you with a pure and innocent smile would be Armageddon!"

"True," the Silencer agreed entirely, "but likewise."

"Go die and rot in hell! Who cares about what splotches on a piece of paper say? I won't let it terminate my passionate hunt," the Wildfire retorted, angling his chin arrogantly to look at his coworker. "And speaking of terminate, I'm surprised that you didn't get picked for the next mission. Although I do enjoy killing, assassination is your specialty. You must be in a good mood if you're not even bothered by the Minister's apparent lack of trust."

"The feeling is mutual."

The reply was unemotional, but Hidou's deduction was proven factual the moment Mamoru decided to contribute with words. More often than not, trying to hold a conversation with the Silencer was impracticable due to his quiet nature. However, something about today was different. Not only did Mamoru lingered behind to hear Hidou out, but he also responded, even if somewhat cynically. Renowned for his astuteness, it didn't take long for Hidou to deduce the exact reason behind Mamrou's subtle change. 'Ah, that's it. Today is Mariko's birthday. I see, so that's why he's being less of a prick right now.'

"You know, you should try to hide your stupid animosity. And you call me childish. Spark literally flies whenever you see the Minister. So come to think of it, of course the man would send the more reliable one instead." Putting some emphasis at the end, Hidou got up and pointed a thumb at himself. He dusted his baggy wear with one hand before flicking his plait behind his back. "But it's given that this job will be a cinch. Take out the old geezer and frame Night Raid for the murder? Heh, it's gonna be like taking candy from a baby. I'll be wrapping things up before the Three Beasts can even stow away on the Ryuusen."

"Beware of the owl though." Not caring if Hidou had caught on to his sudden warning that came from nowhere, Mamoru's form distorted like a disappearing mirage in the desert. Within seconds, he seemingly melted into the wind, leaving Hidou to his own devices.

Location: Night Raid's Hideout (Conference Room). Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day 91).

"Ah, you're all here." Najenda was phlegmatic as her gaze traveled to her subordinates that had gathered before her seated form. Excluding Sheele, who was still struck in bed with her wounds, the rest of her party had arrived and she took the cue to start the meeting. "I've some bad news. Our spies within the Capital confirm that Esdeath has conquered the North and returned."

Staggered gasps and grunts escaped several lips as the assassins took the news on board. The situation was grim at best. With the return of the Ice Queen, The Four was once again a functional division and would most likely be deplored to annihilate the rebelling forces. In any case, the Revolutionary Army was still further south and out of reach, so Night Raid would become the foremost target.

"I cannot fathom her motive. Currently, it seems she is obsessed with her work at the Government's Torture Facilities," Najenda sighed and grabbed another cigarette from her packet. As former associates and rivals, she understood Esdeath more than most people. But even she couldn't see the logic in Esdeath's actions. They seemed to lack true purpose; it was as though the general was merely enjoying herself. That kind of behavior was certainly reassuring and hopeful, but Najenda knew it wouldn't last. More likely, Esdeath was killing time while waiting for something. It would be in Najenda's best interest to take precaution.

Najenda exhaled smoke in small quantities as she decided the best approach. If not careful, Esdeath would bring an end to her organization. Finding precedence in determining the enemy's intention, she turned to the contemplative Leone standing with her arms crossed, noticeably lost in her own world. A little disgruntled that the blonde would zone out during an important meeting, she cleared her throat and let her irritation seep into her voice. "Leone, I want you to head to the Capital. Esdeath would sometimes patrol the Capital by herself. Go and I suppose… test your luck to see if you can gather any information. But regardless, you are not to make any direct contact whatsoever."

"…Huh? Oh, sure. Roger that!" The blonde snapped out of her daze and saluted absentmindedly. With Dr. Takito's death weighing down her heart, Leone couldn't summon her usual zeal whenever she was handed a mission. Throughout the month, her mind was continuously preoccupied with fantasized scenarios where she viciously tortured the Wildfire. The imaginations were nothing to be proud of, but Leone felt the need to turn them into reality. Vengeance burned deep in her heart, and her past urged her to see things through.

"Now." Najenda's prosthetic index and middle fingers formed a v-shape, suspended in front of her. "There is bad news. The sole survival of the local team has raised an alarm. Apparently, she witnessed the complete annihilation of her entire team in the hands of a man in his early twenties."

"The Local Team?" Ieyasu reiterated, voicing the question that Yukio had in mind.

"The Empire is vast. While we specialize in carrying out assassinations in the Capital, there is another team that handles the areas around it," Najenda explained, "From what little evidence I was able to gather, I believe that the culprit is the one with a wind affinity. This narrows down the list significantly. The likely perpetrator is—"

"The Silencer. So they've decided to fight fire with fire," Bulat interjected, dark eyes glistening with unreadable intent. If Mamoru was behind it, then it was safe to conclude that the Empire had begun to counter assassins with their own assassins. Bulat knew that it was bound to happen sooner or later. What surprised him was that someone had actually managed to escape from Mamoru. Whoever she was, the assassin in the local team was well qualified and astute. She certainly would be a great addition to the team. Perhaps he ought to discuss his opinion with Najenda later.

"Yes, it's obvious that The Four is making its move. So we need to be more prepared." Najenda's face was somber as she continued, "And don't forget that there has been a series of murders involving political officials from the time Esdeath reappeared. So far, the victims are three political officials and forty-six of their guards."

The boss fished out a flyer from her pocket, holding it out for the others to see. "From the scene of the crimes, there were handouts claimed to be from Night Raid found."

"Punishment from Heaven by Night Raid; I take case in the darkness that Heaven cannot judge to oblivion. Hmmm, it's like one of those calling cards you see in fiction. So they're trying to frame us," Yukio deduced, frowning as he stared at the perfect replicate of Night Raid's insignia on the top of the page. There must be a horrendous motive for the Empire if they were willing to go through such length just to frame Night Raid for the murders. After all, the group was only admired by a minority of the poor while the rest would love to see the members executed. Therefore, passing the blame onto Night Raid was quite pointless in that sense.

"Well, it's plain to anyone that this is phony. Not even a moron would fall for this." Ieyasu shrugged his shoulders, and the strapped Senpu shifted with his movement. "I don't get why they would even bother. We would never declare our acts to the public and anyone with a brain should know that."

"Then it would appear that there're a lot of brainless people in this world. Nonetheless, our public image should be the least of our worries. I should tell you that the ones murdered all had top-notch bodyguards."

"Then that means they're deliberately targeting powerful opponents. Are they trying to show off their prowess?" Mine inferred thoughtfully, her broken arm still resting in a sling. It would still take a while before the sniper could return to her post. Still, that didn't mean she was satisfied with resting in bed as she joined the meeting despite her comrades' objections. "I don't know why they would reveal their card like this, but it's obvious that they're as powerful as we are."

"Then they have to be Imperial Arm users, like The Four or The Three Beasts," Akame commented. She would've accounted Kurome as a liable suspect before, but with the fragments of memory she managed to scavenge from her brain, she knew exactly who the real culprits were. And unfortunately, the knowledge didn't make the Three Beasts an easier target.

Surreptitiously, she glanced in Bulat's direction and wondered if fate would spare him. But previous afflictions taught her that such optimism would only guarantee disappointment. After all, it seemed that she was fate's favorite toy. 'Tatsumi's optimistic way of thinking must be contagious. But I must not let my guard down. I may have prevented Sheele's death, but things would only get more challenging from here on. For now, let's see who the Boss will choose before I try to devise a plan. It's risky, but it's all I can do without casting suspicion onto myself.'

"If we consider what Mine and Akame said, then there's a great chance that this is a trap. We need to factor in the possibility of a planned ambush," Najenda paused and breathed out clouds of grey smoke. "However, we cannot just dismiss the matter altogether. The victims that were killed were not only intelligent, but they also opposed the Minister. They cared about their nation. When the new kingdom rises, officials like those will be pivotal. Losing more of these valuable people would pose a problem in the future. So let me hear your thoughts on this."

Being one of the most organized and tactful person Yukio knew, it was rare for Najenda to be so indecisive. Under normal circumstances, she would've already assigned their post for the mission instead of sharing her circumspection. Perhaps the encounter with Zank and Hidou's malicious tactics made her more wary for traps. Whatever the reason was, Yukio decided to be honest with his opinion, if only just to remove the shroud of hesitation lingering behind his boss' consciousness. "I… I understand your concern, Boss. Honestly, I have a bad feeling about this too. Investigating into the matter would likely draw attention… and not to mention that we may be facing some of the elites working for the Empire. But… looking at the bigger picture, we can't just let this go. If these people are as crucial as you say… then we should protect them. I know that we're assassins, not bodyguards… but this is the one time when we should put our skills to the test and protect what we believe is important."

"Never took you as the guy for theatrics, Yukio-kun. You just sounded like a shounen protagonist from a manga," Lubbock grinned, to which Yukio's face instantly reddened.

"Theatrical or not, I'm with Yukio. I don't care if it's a trap. I ain't gonna sit around and let the Empire screw everything up," Ieyasu added ardently. "Besides, they're pissing me off. We can't let them go around masquerading as Night Raid and spoiling our name."

"Not that we've a good reputation to begin with," Lubbock commented, his hands casually placed behind his head. There was a smug grin dancing across his features as he gazed at Night Raid's symbolic banner that hang above Najenda's head. "But if they're gonna fake our name then they should at least consider our code. To ignore what Najenda-san set for us and take out people who are actually innocent… That's just unforgiveable!"

"Well, looks like everyone is one the same page as me for once. Isn't it about time we get started, Boss?" Mine asked with a rise of her eyebrow, as if questioning the need to continue this one-sided debate.

"Very well. Then it's decided." Najenda stood up, her coat wrapped around her and a satisfying smirk plastered on her face. Her violet eye was unyielding, murderous in nature. "Show them what we do to those who use our name. Teach them the—"

"Yeah! Bring it on! I'm so pumped for this!" Ieyasu shouted as he slammed his fist into his hand.

"Ieyasu, don't let your enthusiasm cloud your judgment. And also let me finish first," Najenda reprimanded and aimed a narrowed stare at the boy, who grinned at her sheepishly. Twitching an eyebrow in exasperation, Najenda readdressed the group. "There are two groups of political officials thought to be targeted next. Akame, Lubbock, and Ieyasu, you three will guard the former Prime Minister, Chouri. Meanwhile, Bulat and Yukio, you're tasked with protecting the official boarding the Ryuusen. Yukio, this is a perfect opportunity for you to observe and learn from someone other than Akame. I trust that you have no objections?"

"No, I understand perfectly." Even though Yukio was a little disappointed that Akame wouldn't be there with him, there was no denying Najenda's authority. As her subordinate, he would obey her regardless of self-interest. His eyes slid to his left, and he interpreted the silent words that formed from his mentor's lips.

'Meet me in my room after the gathering… she says.' Interpreting her unspoken order, Yukio was muddled by the abnormal request. He nodded hesitantly, sensing a pressing matter that Akame wanted to discuss with him.

"…Um, will do?" he mouthed back.

Location: Night Raid's Hideout (Akame's Room). Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day 91).

Yukio's eyes darted nervously around, his gaze roaming despite not wanting to. He stood in the center of the bedroom, a single's bed with white sheets to his left and a closed window to his right. The desk in the top right corner was dust-free, occupied by a weapon cleaning kit. On the whole, it was a room rather plain in design and probably something expected of Akame. With the exception of three boat models on the windowsill, there was nothing distinctive decorating the room. Leaving the area relatively bare, no outsider would be able to work out that this was the abode of the infamous red-eyed assassin.

From an assassin's perspective, it was the ideal dwelling. There were no forms of possible attachment, implying that it could be abandoned at any time. But somehow, the sight of Akame's room being so bare made Yukio feel hollow. A girl's room of her age shouldn't be like this. It just didn't feel right, just like his presence here.

"Ah, um Akame… Why did you call me here? Aniki is probably waiting for me by now and you have to go with Lubbock and Ieyasu." Shuffling his feet together, he unknowingly gripped the button of his white coat, too uptight to even care about the crinkled fabric.

"Ohh! Akame-chan invited you to her room? Aren't you one lucky man? Boy, I'm totally NOT jealous or anything. Well… go get her then, tiger! Just pounce and have fun~!" Lubbock's words from the hallway echoed mischievously in his ears and Yukio mentally cursed the strategist for making his visit awkward. He was sure he wouldn't be as self-conscious otherwise.

'Man, this isn't good. I must calm down… Take deep breaths. This is Akame I'm talking about. There's no way things will ever turn out like Lubbock says!'

For better or for worse, the raven-haired girl was rather ignorant in concepts concerning intimacy. Unlike him, Akame should have yet to be corrupted by Lubbock's priced collection of books. So it was ridiculous to be jittery, though Yukio couldn't help it.

"Yukio, please remove your coat." Akame's muffled voice came from inside her wardrobe. With the opened door obscuring her form, it was impossible for Yukio to appraise her and decipher whether or not she was being serious.

'She's joking!' His mind screamed.

But Akame was not Leone; she hardly ever fooled around.

"Yukio, please remove your coat," the red-eyed girl reiterated, her tone firmer than before. Having found what she was looking for, she closed the wardrobe door somewhat in haste, seemingly a little pusillanimous that Yukio would catch a glimpse of the contents inside. She approached the young man with an unreadable feature, looking at him unblinkingly. "I cannot proceed unless you've stripped. You'll need the protection."

'I must be dreaming. Someone pinch me!' Yukio's complexion was marked with red spots as he shook his head frantically. Unconvinced, he scanned the underside of the bed, behind the wardrobe, and behind the closed door. No one. There was no one else inside the room save for the two. This was no prank pulled by Leone or Lubbock, and Akame wasn't just bribed into the act with meat.

He gulped, "Akame, are you really sure you want to do this?"

"Yes, I insist. I don't know if we'll get another chance otherwise," Akame insisted, leaving little room for an argument.

"But…" Feeling his throat dry up faster than a puddle of water in a desert, Yukio tried desperately to search for a way out of the awkward situation he found himself caught in. However, his mind was blank save for Lubbock's words, which persistently looped around like a broken recorder.

"This is yours." Unaware of Yukio's edginess, Akame pulled out a silver bulletproof vest from the shopping bag she held in her hand. It was made from many layers of woven and laminated fibers that were light enough for the girl to hoist the vest up with little effort.

"Wait… We can't… I mean… You and me—huh...? Wait, a… bulletproof vest? Then t-that's what you mean when you told me to strip and also about the further protection?" Common sense returned after his prattle and embarrassment sank deep when he realized he had misinterpreted her sentences. Taking in the vest Akame held in front of her, he felt heat rush up his face.

Although a part of him was now at ease, there was hidden part of him that mourned as he removed his outer layer, leaving him donned in a simple yellow shirt. Embarrassed that he got flustered because of Lubbock, he shook his head once and berated himself. 'Stupid, I should've known that Akame was referring to the mission!'

"Is something the matter, Yukio? Your face is red. Do you have a fever?" Akame commented, having stopped adjusting the vest's straps. Carefully, she leaned forward to study his face, resting a hand on his forehead with pursed lips. "This is strange. Your temperature has gone up."

Her action naturally had the effect of making Yukio even more self-conscious. His body flared up and he intuitively shrank away from the girl. "No! I mean, ahem… I'm fine, just fine."

"I see." Dropping her hand back down, Akame inclined her head to the side in confusion but didn't pursue the matter.

There was no further movement from her and Yukio just dodged her gaze. For a while, awkwardness hang heavily in the air as the two stood, stone-like. At last, Akame broke through the discomfort by returning her attention to the vest. It didn't ease the tension, but it gave her something to distract herself with.

Since he was in an unfamiliar setting and had nothing to occupy his brain with, Yukio simply stood twitching his thumbs. Like an idiot with nothing better to do, he infrequently stole glimpses at the girl who he had come to admire and respect. She was sitting on her own bed as she continued to adjust the equipment that was meant for him.

The stillness grated his nerve and the occasional clicking sound from the vest's straps only exacerbated his uneasiness. The young man knew he shouldn't be tense at all, but the eerie quietness unnerved him a lot. Why was it so exasperating?

He tried opening his mouth to speak, but no syllable left his throat. Fool, he thought. It was bad enough that he had completely humiliated himself in front of Akame, but now he couldn't even talk to her. 'This is just ridiculous! I need to snap out of this idiocy. I've never been this nervous around a person before. Why start now?'

He gave himself a wakeup call and hit his cheeks twice, simultaneously gathering his thoughts. But just when he was about open his mouth, Akame chose the exact moment to stand up, with the adjustments to his vest done.

"Here, try it on." Similar to the incident on the training ground, Akame paid no attention to his mortified yelps as she assisted him with the gear. A faint smile appeared on her features as her hands roamed on his upper torso, fleetingly caressing the skin. Yukio's physique was more compacted than she had first assumed and she altered the length of the straps halfway.

Once the final leash was fastened, she marveled at how much the young man had grown since joining Night Raid. The timid and frail man she encountered in the cave had matured significantly. At his growing stages, Yukio had developed more muscles through training and though his stature underwent little change, she could tell that he had become stronger. Still, the young man was relatively short, just barely taller than her. 'And what's more astonishing is his mentality. He's become accustomed to switching gears after forcing himself to do so. While I do not quite approve his methods, I can only assume that he'll improve further this way.'

In a way that one would think that Yukio and Akame were connected telepathically, the former was also reflecting on how far he had progressed. To distract himself from Akame's hands that were maundering through his body whilst securing the vest in place, he allowed his mind to drift back to a week ago. With a miniature smile playing on his lips, his emerald orbs landed on Akame's side.

No sooner had he completely healed from his wounds, than Yukio resumed his duty as a killer. Day after day, he practiced the art of assassination and devoted any spare time to meditating, as suggested by Akame. He discovered that meditation endorsed his mental stability and eventually helped him establish a switch for his emotions, serving to repress the inner guilt that he dreaded.

Ever since his fight with Zank, the remorse he felt had grown tenfold. His dreams were constantly consumed by blood, though not from his victims. Instead, he would have nightmares of Akame dying in his arms, her upper torso spilling precious blood that stained both of their clothing. He would see himself crying, pathetic as always. Akame would reach out and gently stroke his cheek, lips parting slowly as if trying to tell him something. They were words he would never hear as his body always jerked back into reality.

The imagines from the repeating nightmares torn his heart and burned his eyeballs. 'It was my fault that Akame got injured the last time. I couldn't handle Zank on my own. I failed miserably… but I won't let that happen again. No more, I need to be the one protecting others!'

Vows held little meaning in a world wrecked with death and corruption. There was little one could do against fate without power; Yukio understood that, so his need to grow stronger in order to protect amplified. Train daily. In order to fulfill his unannounced pledge, he systematically adapted Bulat's motto and took time learning skills from his seniors. The members of Night Raid were all so eager to help out that it only reinforced his desire to become someone who they could depend on.

Nevertheless, his sudden fixation for strength must have worried Akame, for she immediately took interest in his daily routine. It didn't take her long to realize that he was still in the state of self-condemnation, unable to surpass the guilt that shackled him. Being an insightful person in her own right, she had a lurking idea of the cause and came up with the most straightforward solution.

"Come, Yukio. A physical brawl can soothe a pained soul. You showed me that when I was traumatized by Tatsumi's alliance with the Empire. I may not know the origins of your remorse. However, I do know that I can show you the way out. Now, come at me with no hesitation."

The two sparred, dedicating more time and effort than ever before. They barely talked but found the clash of swords passable as a form of communication. Little by little, Yukio's nightmares became more subtle. Without knowing it, Akame had become the lock that sealed away Yukio's fears, bringing him a ray of renewed purpose.

And that's when that incident happened.

At one time, one attack slipped past Akame's defense and Yukio's practice sword touched her side. In a real battle, such artificial scratch would only just create a tear in the clothing. But in decisive moments where fighters were evenly matched, even the smallest wounds could be accounted for victory. Regardless, it was no small feat for Yukio, especially since his sparring partner was Akame. To have even scraped the katana-wielding assassin with a practice blade was a deed worthy to be praised, though he merely shrugged it off, knowing that arrogance would be his undoing.

"Yukio, I finished. Is it too tight?"

Coming out of his thoughts, Yukio took a second to remember what he was doing prior. He had been so engrossed with reminiscing that he didn't notice that the vest was now fitted onto his upper torso. Nodding to acknowledge Akame's words, he rolled his shoulder blades and moved his abs.

He flashed his mentor a grin. "It's perfect fit. I can't believe Mine actually guessed my size right. With this, I should be more durable."

"Nonetheless, you shouldn't become too dependent on it for protection." Akame returned a smile of her own, her eyes suddenly shimmering with ephemeral intent. "If you wish for me to prove my point, I could test its durability for you."

"Huh? How are you going—" Pleased that he was no longer tongue-tied, Yukio was caught off guard when the red-eyed girl whipped out her katana, scabbard and all, and clouted him in the side. As absurd as it was, she must have somehow predicted the flashback he had. Her assault was precise, landing on the same spot as he did on her, but a lot harder.

Yukio crashed to the ground on his side. He pouted and looked at Akame in the eye. "Oww! That's going to leave a mark. Man, was that really necessary?"

"Uh-huh." She gave him a blank look, her eyes narrowed and doll-like.

'Feigning innocence again? For a feared assassin, she sure is good at it.' Grumbling something about Akame's action being uncalled for, he climbed back onto his feet and checked the vest. It wasn't broken, but the impact of Akame's attack did get through, meaning that there was limited protection at the sides. To test his hypothesis, he prodded the front of the gear, where his chest was shielded by bulkier materials. 'Being a bulletproof vest and all, I guess it makes sense that it was designed to take a bullet in the chest. I could ask Mine to test it out for me… but that would just give her the perfect excuse to kill me…'

"Still Akame, I want to say thank you. I know that Mine brought it, but you're the one who suggested it and paid for it."

Akame merely nodded, and both of them knew that was the end of the subject.

"Well, guess I'm all set. I'll be going now," Yukio said, bending down to pick up his discarded jacket. It would be lying if he said he wasn't anxious. According to Akame, Esdeath's faithful subordinates were immensely strong. He had gathered information on their Teigu from Akame, but that still didn't guarantee anything. He would have to give it his all just to keep himself alive, let alone help Bulat. 'Saving Aniki will be no easy task. I'm not just going against The Three Beasts in this regard, but also fate itself.'

With the last button done and collar fixed, he faced Akame. After what he just said, leaving without another word seemed like the easiest choice. But the question was whether or not it was the best choice. There was nothing expressive on Akame's features, though Yukio had to wonder if she was inwardly as composed as she appeared to be. Tentatively, he scratched the back of his head in deliberation until his eyes eventually grew sharp at his final decision. Just like he did with Najenda, he would openly and honestly express his opinion.

"Akame… I know that you're afraid to see the people who you cherish die. It's why you pretend to be apathetic and socially-detached in the first place. In a way, that's your mind deciding to protect itself from grief." Yukio tried to sound logical, removing himself from a subjective stance. He was aware that Akame was looking at him with a perturbed gaze, yet he forcefully ignored it. The death of comrades was a sensitive subject to bring up in front of Akame, though Yukio believed it was necessary if he wanted to fully express his thoughts. "I… I would hate seeing you sad. So I'll do my best… I won't run like a coward anymore. I know I'm still weak, but I'll do anything I can to help him. I promise you that I'll give it my all so that both Aniki and I can return alive!"

Shock was insufficient to describe Akame's feelings. Her eyes widened and she stood motionless, her brain having shut down from his unexpected declaration. Kurome appearing before her would have a lesser effect on her right now. Who would have thought that the bashful Yukio would be this fortified to assure her with a promise. Involuntarily, an agonizing memory surfaced and she found herself unable to accept his reassurance.

"I'll make you a promise. I will not die! I won't make you sad!"

They were words that had torn her apart. Regrettably, all they did was give her a momentary and dreamlike comfort that soon morphed into her eternal sorrow. They gnawed at her heart, leaving behind bitterness to strangle her.

'I am an assassin and yet, I still have a heart… and it can still be hurt.'

"No." She shook her head once, her voice rather shaken. Her palms clenched and unclenched, as if trying feebly to grasp the remnant of a vow. "Don't make promises. It's not because I don't trust you, but I fear that fate would get in the way. It was… it was like this with Tatsumi. Please don't let me bear the pain of another surreal promise. Please don't."

"Ah, I'm sorry… I didn't mean it like that," Yukio blurted out. His gaze dropped to the carpeted floor, his bangs covering his eyes. He had wanted his words to be a reassurance for Akame, who had already lost many people she cared for. He didn't mean to elicit the mental scar that even time itself couldn't heal properly.

'I've made her upset.'

This was the second time he had seen the assassin respond so fragilely to something, as though she was on the verge of tears. The first time had been back in the cave, when he foolishly bragged about his trump card. But back then, her feelings didn't matter as much when weighed against his principles. Now however, it was tearing his insides apart to see Akame like this. He was being drowned in her sea of grief, so profound that he found himself sinking.

There was no escape.

But really, did he want to escape?

'Akame is younger than me and yet, she has been through things that I cannot even imagine. There's still a lot that I don't know about her… and I've been so indulged in my own needs that I neglected this. But, it's not too late to make a start. I'll start now, first by understanding this abiding sorrow of hers.'

It was a moment of impulsiveness but Yukio didn't regret it. His hand reached out and grabbed Akame's in a gentle but unyielding hold. He noticed that the girl visibly flinched at the unexpected contact before looking at him quizzically. His bangs were still covering his emerald pools, so he didn't think she would be able to read him. At a snail's pace, he lifted his head and cleared his throat. "Ahem. You're right. I can't be certain that we'll return alive. It's imprudent of me to give my word on something so unguaranteed. But I can say this much… I'll try. I'll give it my all to come back with Aniki… s-so that… so that…"

A small blush materialized on his face and he exhaled deeply, his heart thumping in his ribcage. "…So that I can listen to you as you tell me about yourself. I want to know your history, the story that made you the strong-willed person you are today, Akame. At this very moment, you're sharing your present with me, but I-I want to know your past as well."

If it was possible for Akame to be in more of a shock, then Yukio had just succeeded in getting that reaction out of her. Her mouth dropped open in a soundless gasp, her crimson orbs quivering and she felt the instinctive need to reach for her chest. Giving herself time to gather her lost thoughts from the brain that refused to reboot itself, she at last allowed a smile to slip through her stunned face. Gently, as if touching an infant, she returned his hold and rubbed her index and middle fingers on Yukio's palm, feeling the scar where Zank's flint bit him.

The meaning of her gesture was misinterpreted and Yukio knitted his brows. Discouraged by her lack of response, it was then he realized how much his words sounded like a proposal. His cheeks burned. 'Idiot! What's gotten into me, saying stuff about sharing the past and present together. Man, I may as well have said something like, "Akame, please entrust your future to me"! I screwed up again! Real bad! What's Akame going to think of me now?!'

Not wanting to provide Akame a chance to reflect on his words, he awkwardly scratched his cheek with his other hand, all the while coming up with something to say. Anything would do, if only just to divert her attention. "Um, ah! Of course I'll need to be careful. I… um need to think of the best strategy against The Three Beast… and I'll, er…"

"I understand. I know you'll do your best." Akame signaled for his silence as she fixed her pair of crimson on Yukio, trying to calm down the flustered young man with her softened gaze. It puzzled her that he seemed so on edge around her, and it was not something she enjoyed. She preferred it when Yukio was cheerful, a little childish, and openly grinning. It was a mystery as to why she liked him that way, but she enjoyed seeing the innocence that radiated from him, a quality that most assassins had denied and abandoned.

Inwardly desiring that trait of his to resurface, she chose an uncharacteristic approach and leaned forward slowly, but deliberately. There was no need to push herself on her toes since they were around the same height. Letting go of Yukio's hand, she rested both her hands on his shoulders and positioned her face beside his ear. It was remotely something that Leone would do, and somehow, it seemed fitting in this scenario.

'Why am I doing this?'

'W-why is s-she doing this?'

Similar thoughts transpired through two minds in that instant. Yukio, so baffled but also curious, didn't budge from the spot, and Akame found herself with no appropriate explanation for what she was about to do. But being Akame, she eventually shrugged it off, an unreadable gleam displayed in her eyes as her warm breaths tickled Yukio's earlobe.

"To steel my resolve, I have long since put my past behind me. However, I will make this an exception. I will gladly tell you once you return… everything you want to know about me. So stay alive." It was hardly a whisper, but the receiver of her utterance heard it clearly and his face broke into a joyous smile.

Night Raid Members Remaining: 9

Mission: Team 1- Protect the Official on Ryuusen , Team 2 -Protect Former Prime Minister Chouri

Participating Members: Team 1 - Bulat and Yukio, Team 2 - Akame, Ieyasu, and Lubbock

Result: Team 1 - Ongoing Team 2 - Ongoing

Rewards: Unknown

The Four Present in the Capital: 4

Author's Notes: And here's the first chapter to the 2nd arc. I apologize for how long it took to publish this chapter, but I've been very busy recently. While I finished writing a few weeks back, proofreading and editing proved to be more taxing and time-consuming. Since I no longer have a beta reader to aid me, I have to be more careful when it comes to fixing possible plot holes and keeping the story as errorless as it can be.

Anyways, please remember that reviews, questions, feedback, opinions, and even criticisms are welcomed.

More importantly, I would like to give a big thank you to the readers who left reviews. Your feedbacks have been a huge help and motivation for future chapters.

Drew Luczynski: Yes, we can only imagine what kind of revenge Leone has in store for Hidou. And you're right, it will be very brutal.

Shade169: I'm glad that you enjoyed the last chapter. And to answer your question, I'll say that it's the little things that Akame and Yukio do that causes deviations. To begin with, their presence and knowledge have already disrupted the flow of this timeline, so you can expect that the more they contribute to changing things, the more things will head for the unexpected.

Ashura Phantom Ryu: Yes, I love Tatsumi x Akame a lot too. But in this story, the chances of it happening is actually quite slim, with what plans I have for Tatsumi being considered.

Commonwealth1991: As always, thanks for your thoughtful feedback. I can see your point about Yukio's quote, but I wasn't really trying to explore his philosophy as much as trying to hint some of the repercussions with using Baransu. His thoughts were muddled during that time, so I made his quote confusing as a way to show that. But I agree that it does lose a lot of impact so I'll take that into consideration next time. And about the rating, it'll most likely change soon, especially since the 2nd arc is kicking in.

Austin Eafford: Indeed, a time traveling Imperial Arms would've helped a lot in the canon, which is why I wrote this story for. I hope you'll enjoy it and continue reading.

SeihoTheNeko: Thanks for your review and yeah, I didn't really want to give too much away and risk spoilers for your question. I'm flattered that you like my work and I hope that this chapter will also live up to your expectations.

Now, this section is dedicated to recapitulating the relevant plot events. Here are some things that can be reviewed over or considered for this chapter:

-The lone survivor from the local team will play an important part in the future. Her identity is hardly a secret though for perceptive readers.

-Here's a little insight on Yukio's growth and motivation. Up to the point where he fought Zank, Yukio was satisfied so long as he didn't become a burden. (Hence, that's why he was so determined to improve after hearing Ieyasu's success). But after reflecting on what happened, he realized that not being a burden didn't mean he was competent enough to protect someone, especially his teammates. So his motivation to get stronger increased, as seen in this chapter.

Preview: Chapter 16—Kill the Barrier:

Esdeath: "That wouldn't be necessary, Tatsumi. Just stay here, with me,"

Hidou: "Ooh! If it isn't Akame of the Demon Blade Murasame; looks like I've hit the jackpot."

Ieyasu: "Shit! Already! We wasted too much time cracking open that earth barrier!"

Hidou: "Now that you've seen a small extent of my powers, are you going to abandon your teammates and run, or are you going to stupidly challenge me?"