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.
Author's Notes: Hello everyone! As I've mentioned in the progress status in my profile, I was unable to update at all last month due to being busy. But I'm back now with the newest chapter. Thanks for being patient with me and a special thank you to Mario, Ultimatrix bearer, and Guest for your reviews and support.
Mario: Thanks for your review. I'm glad that the last chapter was to your liking. Although it's a guaranteed challenge, Tatsumi will definitely try his hardest to persuade Esdeath. And Esdeath is just as determined to keep Tatsumi as her spouse while ensuring that she's the one in dominance. Well, I guess only time and effort will tell who will come out on top. ;)
Ultimatrix bearer: You flattered me. It's a great boost to my confidence to know that I'm doing a decent job with the romance since the chemistry between humans is such a complex and intricate matter that I find difficult to write on paper. Nice job on picking up that manga reference btw. It pleases me to find out that I've some insightful readers who are paying extra close to the details of this tale.
Guest: It's always nice seeing a new reader and hopefully you'll find the story interesting enough to reach this chapter. Anyways, while I can't speak for the other authors, I chose to continue from the anime ending because the manga wasn't finished at the time I started this fic and I wanted an alternative ending for Akame (hence, my primary motivation for this story). However, I do agree that the manga version did deliver us a better conclusion.
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(Beta read by Revan's Wraith)
Chapter 27—Kill the Doubt
"Time spins, the world asks questions to lead you astray.
To fight against the inescapable fate,
that is the future."
-Song of a Certain Truth (Mirai Nikki Aru Akise's Theme Song)
…
"Accept me, support me,
Even if just a little,
I can make a tomorrow that you are able to believe.
That there is no such thing as a world without meaning.
I won't give up anymore..."
- Zoetrope (Amnesia OP)
Location: Night Raid's Hideout (Lounge). Time: Evening. Year: 1024 (Day 107).
Surrounded by his comrades in the lounge of Night Raid's hideout, Yukio could feel the combination of nostalgia and sorrow course through him. The place he had come to adore as his home remained unchanged. It had the same unostentatious table, the plush couches, the unvarying pink curtains that screened the windows and the brown pillars that supported the roof.
Nonetheless, the residents would never be the same again.
Unlike the temporary absence of Najenda and Bulat, there was one person's absence that would forever pain Yukio as he scanned the room and its occupants. The young man bit the bottom of his lip and shook his head once.
"…So um, I managed to gather some info on the Jaegers." Portentous times offered no hiatus for Yukio so he began to disclose valuable information. In his right hand was a pen as he eyed the massive book on his lap with the weight of a large rock. The last scribe was Lubbock and despite Akame's belief, Yukio did not think that he was adequate for the job. Whatever he wrote down would be copied and given to the Revolutionary Army. So the pressure on him was to keep the reference as error-free as possible.
Normally, it would've been impossible for him to write given the wounds he sustained, particularly on his fingers. If anything, he should've been resting. However, Sheele offered to use Hirasaki to ease Yukio's suffering. As the woman was still inexperienced with it, she couldn't fully heal the young man instantly without taking too much toll on her body. So while there were still some parts that ached, Yukio was no longer troubled by the constant pain that shot through his entire body. Whatever injuries that ruined his skin would heal given some more time.
"They have seven members, right?" Mine's voice came from the back of the room, her petite form leaning against a pillar. With her arms folded across her chest, the pinked-haired girl looked at Yukio sternly as he nodded. She frowned, not because of Yukio's response but because of a realization. "If that's the case, then we barely have the advantage in numbers."
"Boss did say she'll invite new members," commented Ieyasu, who was sitting offhandedly on the crouch to Yukio's left and right next to Akame. Having thrown his table etiquette out of the window, the teen flung his boots off and rested his feet on the table ledge. His discourteous action provoked a glare from Mine but he did not care. In spite of everything, his exchange with Tatsumi had left a bitter taste in his mouth that refused to go away.
"Eh, why are we sitting here? I thought we are supposed to hold a homecoming party." When everyone turned to her with assorted expressions plastered on their features, Sheele was left to wonder why they would behave like that. She tapped the rim of her glasses and blinked. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No," said Leone, her body jolting forward from her laidback position on the couch. Although it was amazing to have Sheele back after her rehabilitation, it was a while since she had to deal with the airhead nature. "Jeez, Sheele. We're gonna figure out how strong our enemies are. Get the bad stuff out of the way first. Remember, we said that before."
"Hmmm? I don't remember." Placing her index finger on her chin with her lips pursed in recollection, Sheele shook her head after a few seconds, apparently having forgotten something that occurred a mere half an hour ago. While it was abnormal for most people, the members of Night Raid was accustomed to her short-term memories and left it at that.
"Ah, never mind Sheele-san… Right," Yukio cleared his throat with a fake cough, deciding that he should carry on. Speaking clearly and being careful to annunciate each word without mumbling, he simultaneously wrote in the book, his hand moving furiously to keep up. "The first person is Wave-san of the Imperial Navy. He wields the armor Teigu, Carnage Incarnate: Grand Chariot. You can say that it's an upgraded version of Incursio with higher stats."
Leone hit her fist into her palm as something clicked inside her head. "Ohhh, so that's why I thought it reminds me of Incursio when I first saw him wear it."
"But is it more powerful?" Mine asked, wasting no time in voicing her question aloud. Because of Bulat, she had a decent idea of how strong the armor was. Comparing that insight to Grand Chariot could provide a reasonably accurate evaluation of how powerful Wave was.
"It's difficult to tell at this point since the power of Imperial Arms also depends greatly on the user," Yukio replied, chewing the end of his pen in contemplation. He knew what answer Mine wanted, but it wasn't as simple as she assumed; there were many factors to take account of. "However, I believe that Grand Chariot is modified to be more stable than its predecessor. Since the armor isn't 'alive' like Incursio is, it's kept in a constant state of equilibrium. In other words, it doesn't have the potential to evolve and adapt like Incursio can."
"That guy is no pushover. I'm certain about that after seeing him fight the Danger Beasts in the arena," Leone pointed out.
"A guy who has perfected his strength and an armor that can literally boost the user in every aspect. Put two and two together and it just spells out bad news," added Mine.
"We need to be on our guard… but Wave-san may not be the bad news here," said Yukio, flipping the book until he reached an entry describing a katana-like Teigu. His eyes charily landed on Akame and took in the face that was blemished by a frown she was wearing. Tentatively, he shifted a little from his seat before redirecting his attention to the others, all the while averting his mentor's gaze. "Out of everyone from the Jaegers, there is this one girl who emanates a dangerous aura. Her name is… Kurome, an Imperial assassin who uses the katana, March of the Dead: Yatsufusa."
"Akame's little sis, right? I saw her active in the arena too. But she was using her sword like a regular weapon so I didn't realize that it's actually a Teigu," Ieyasu stated.
"It is, I can attest to that. Anyone cut down by Yatsufusa becomes Kurome's living corpse doll. It is known to house up to eight people at the same time, hence the name. With Yatsufusa, Kurome can freely manipulate the cursed puppets and the abilities they had in life, though if she rescinds her ability, they turn back into ordinary corpses." There wasn't even hint of pride in Akame's voice that was habitual for people when they speak of their family's accomplishments. In the place of her usual impassiveness was a touch of sadness that could just be deciphered by the most vigilant ears.
"Does this mean that if you are killed by her, you will suffer a fate worse than death and become an enemy?" Sheele mused aloud.
"But since you're dead, you won't need to worry about it," chipped in Leone, but that proved to be a futile attempt in alleviating the tensed atmosphere.
"Murasame is deadly." Mine spoke her thought while taking a glimpse at the katana that lay dormant inside its covering. "But Yatsufusa is just as frightening…"
'True, but it's the combination of both Murasame and Yatsufusa that can potentially cause a cataclysm. Muramasa is so dangerous that it can literally cut down air itself. Its steel is so sharp that even something as near-indestructible as Incursio can be sliced in half like mere butter.' While his comrades discussed the powers of Murasame and Yatsufusa, Yukio recalled how the tale of how the demonic blade Muramasa wreaked havoc within the Empire and was therefore separated into two components by his father.
As he mulled over the history of the Imperial Arms, he wondered whether or not it was purely coincidental that the siblings, Akame and Kurome, were chosen by the two incarnations of the Yami no ha. Try as he might, the young man couldn't disregard the sense that it was another cruel twist of fate in store, and that the siblings were the ones who would suffer from it.
"Hang on. If she's as strong as you say, then she then she would've been a great member on our team. Why didn't you get her to join you?" Unaware of the frantic gestures from Leone that warned him not to delve into the topic, Ieyasu made an inquiry, all the while rising a curious eyebrow at Akame. As the newest addition to the group, he was rather clueless about Akame's past, and it didn't help that she was so disinclined to tell him about herself. Therefore, what little Ieyasu managed to gather were what his other teammates supplied. From what everyone else told him, Akame had a sister who was still loyal to the Empire. Apparently, there was still an unbreakable bond between the siblings despite the animosity, which prompted Ieyasu to ask the question that burned his tongue.
"I invited her of course, but my sister chose to stay," Akame muttered under her breath, her fingers entwined on top of her lap. "So from her perspective, I am just another traitor."
"Akame." Taking Pumpkin out of its metallic case and hoisting it up for emphasis, Mine was unhesitant with her declaration. "I told you this before. If your little sister appears before us, we have to hit her with everything we have. If you can't do that, then I'll take her down instead."
"I know… Against her, wavering will only get us killed." Even as those words left Akame's lips, they felt nothing more than pretense. In her heart, she knew that she was faltering despite her protest. Killing Kurome in the previous timeline had taken a lot of preparation, both physically and mentally. However, she didn't have the luxury of being ignorant like the last time. This time, she knew how adversely her sister's death would impinge on her; it was no understatement that her heart was skewered by thousands of needles before being ripped out forcefully on that tragic day. She was now hampered by the experience and frankly, she didn't think her heart could survive a replay.
"Damn, this is gonna be tough..." groaned Leone as she massaged her temples with her fingertips.
"…Anyhow, I'll continue." Seeing as how Akame was troubled by the talk about Kurome, Yukio pulled his attention back to the critical matter. With a sigh, he turned to the written records about Hekatonkheires before looking at Mine and Sheele. "Seryu, the Imperial policewoman who attacked Mine and Sheele-san, is using the biological Teigu, Magical Beast Transformation: Hekatonkheires. Well, I assume I won't need to go into the details."
"Yeah, you can save your breath. Sheele and I can deal with that crazy bitch the next time we run into her," Mine affirmed. As the two Night Raiders who fought Seryu, she and her partner understood the policewoman's strength more than anyone else on the team. Therefore, there wasn't much information Yukio could offer that the pair couldn't and didn't.
"Then there's Bols from the Incarnation Squad, who uses the offensive type Teigu, Purgatory's Invitation: Rubicante. It splits out flames that cannot be extinguished by water. The victims will burn until they die… It's like it was specifically designed to burn out someone's life," explained Yukio as he fiddled with the loose button of his white jacket. Finding preference in his usual garments, the young man had quickly changed back before the meeting and slipped on a pair of rawhide boots. After being barefoot for the past few days, as Wave had nothing of his size, he found himself enjoying the extra protection on his feet.
"Um, I want to confirm… there's a total of seven members in the Jaegers, correct?" Sheele asked, tapping the rim of her glasses to readjust them. While her countenance gave the impression that she was daydreaming, the woman had already reverted to her assassin mode and was paying close attention to the details. Although the question that nobody voiced was how long she could store such vital information before she forgot.
Digging his toes deeper into the soles, Yukio nodded, "Seven altogether. The remaining members are Run and Dr. Stylish, who seems to be more brains than brawn. Their Imperial Arms reflect that. They use Thousand-Mile Flight: Mastema and Glorious Hands of God: Perfector respectively. Both are supportive types. Mastema grants its user the ability to fly at high speeds, and can also be used to launch feathers as projectiles capable of piercing through flesh. Perfector increases the speed and precision of the user's fingers dramatically. Although technically it's never a healing Teigu, a person wearing Perfector can perform surgeries so long as he has medical experience."
"The guy calls himself a doctor, so we can expect him to be knowledgeable in medicine. We should really take him out first. If we can do that, we can get a hold of that Perfector," suggested Mine.
"That Teigu does seem highly useful… Well, second to Sheele's Hirasaki," Leone added while pointing a finger at the necklace Teigu around Sheele's neck, causing the purple-haired woman to give her Teigu a proper assessment. Watching Sheele study her own relic with a sudden interest made Leone sweat drop in exasperation. 'Seriously? She's acting as if she has just lay eyes on the thing for the first time… But she just used it for Yukio-kun's injuries!'
"And last but not least is the Jaeger's vice-captain… Tatsumi. I didn't actually see him in the arena. But Esdeath did make an announcement about it." At that Yukio's ears heard a soft inhalation and a heavy grunt from his left, no doubt from Akame and Ieyasu. At other times, the young man would have been amazed that they were synchronized but at present, it was left forgotten as Leone spoke with venom dripping from her tone.
"Some bastard he is, leaving Ieyasu-kun behind to join up with the psychopath. He pisses me off so badly. I don't care who he is! I'm gonna drag that guy out of Esdeath's bed and beat him up to a p—"
"Le—"
"Nee-san." An orotund voice cut through, interrupting the blonde just as Akame opened her mouth. There was a deafening thud as Ieyasu stood up and drove both fists onto the surface of the table.
Raising an eyebrow in confusion, Leone glanced up to see the Senpu wielder glaring at her. The teen's face was livid red, boiling from indescribable anger. It was then that the blonde remembered that Ieyasu and Tatsumi were childhood friends.
"Don't talk about Tatsumi like that! He's no pet of Esdeath's. There's no way he'll ever try to get into Esdeath's pants—skirt, or whatever it is she's wearing!" Ieyasu spoke through clutched teeth, his rolled up hands shaking.
Taking note of how offensive her words must've been to Ieyasu, Leone held up her hands in a gesture of surrender. "Easy there, Ieyasu. I'm on your side here."
A low threatening growl left the teen's throat. "My side? My side or not, you don't go badmouthing Tatsumi! None of you know anything about him!"
"Ieyasu…" A touch of nervousness settled into Yukio as his gaze traveled from Ieyasu to Akame, whose body had stiffened slightly. Interpreting the unspoken sorrow that burdened the female assassin, he decided to muster his courage and spoke up. "P-please calm down. While nee-san may have spoken too rashly, she—like the rest of us—is looking out for you in the best of your interest. We do understand where you're coming from. Tatsumi-san is your childhood friend so if anything, you alone should have the right to make that kind of a statement. I'm sure that nee-san didn't mean it."
"Yeah... Ieyasu-kun, would you forgive your nee-san for being insensitive?" Although her words seemed to be casual, there was a sense of solemn in Leone's tone that was rarely heard. The woman's golden orbs met the pair of fiery mahogany in an apologetic look.
"…Alright." The fire in Ieyasu vanished and what was left was melancholy. Blinking twice, his gaze circled around his friends before landing back on Leone. "I'll forgive you. We're cool…"
At that, there was a deep exhale that came from Sheele. Even though she understood Ieyasu's standpoint, it was always upsetting for her whenever her friends got into an argument. She was merely glad that it was resolved without too much of a hassle.
Barely noticing the relieved gesture that the purple-haired woman did, Ieyasu slumped back onto the couch, as if he had run out of energy. His hand inched for his chest and he gripped onto Sayo's brooch, squeezing it for mental support. "Tatsumi… I know him better than all of you. He's my childhood friend… the only one I have left…"
"I'm sure Tatsumi will understand your decisions, Ieyasu," Akame said, coming out of her own thoughts. Being the one seated next to the teen, she took the liability of grasping his hand with one of hers in a comforting manner. A mixture of convoluted emotions flashed across her pair of rubies before they absolved and allowed the arrival of warmth. "He'll understand one day, if you reach out hard enough for him. I'm certain of it."
Confidence remerged on Ieyasu's countenance and a small smile appeared. His initial fear at the recollection of his failed last attempt vanished as determination graced him with newfound strength. "Yah, you're right! There's no way the great Ieyasu-sama will give up on a lost friend."
"It's nice and all, but aren't we getting sidetracked?" asked Mine. The petite girl faked a cough and shook her head once, as though tired of the drama.
There was a retort in mind, though that was left forgotten as Ieyasu became conscious that his hand was still in contact with Akame's. With a sheepish smile, he withdrew his arm and adopted a sitting position where he was most comfortable with, namely with his two feet back on top of the table. His lack of etiquette apparently irked Mine, which only served to broaden his smile.
Mentally grateful that Mine had stepped in, Yukio took her rhetorical question as a cue and cleared his throat. "Back to the main concern, the members of the Jaegers are about as strong and skilled as you guys are. However… their leader, Esdeath of The Four… she's completely on a different level. I didn't see her in action but the sight of her sent an inexplicable chill down my spine. She's extremely dangerous. Fighting her now is out of the option. Any alternatives that don't involve us confronting her are way better."
"So you're basically saying that committing suicide right off the bat seems like the easier solution compared to charging head first at her," Ieyasu noted stiffly, his feet back on the ground and his back straight. "But you're not wrong. When that woman and I first talk, I could taste her malicious nature. I can tell."
"It's a shame we don't know the limits of her Teigu," Sheele said, her head dropping low.
"Demon God Manifestation: Demon's Extract." Yukio's eyes narrowed into slits. "It's an offensive Imperial Arms that greatly depends on the user's performance. But with someone as terrifying as Esdeath using it, it's impossible to know the scope of its power. Just how far and how much can she freeze with her ability? That I have no answer."
Akame's brows furrowed.
"Esdeath is indeed powerful, but she has a weakness. She's alive. She has a heart and a pulse. Given that, I'll slay her… even if she is the most powerful in the Capital!" Last time, the inspiring speech was given with profound clarity. However, this time around, the red-eyed assassin remained silent as a depressing atmosphere shrouded over the occupants of the room. Her crimson eyes fell on her sheathed katana and a shred of doubt passed through her. She dug her fingernails into her right arm. 'Will I be able to eliminate Esdeath once more?'
Location: On Mount Fake (West Side). Time: Evening. Year: 1024 (Day 107).
Jabbing a twig at the edge of the campfire, Wave watched as a tiny spark of flame jumped. The glowing red light flew up, nearly touching the meat of the Danger Beast he had skewered on a suspended stick, before rejoining its companions with the assistance of gravity.
Satisfied with how the strong the flare was and the warmth provided, Wave pulled his attention to the starry sky and feigned intense interest. Although the high altitude offered a speculator view of stars that flickered like a swarm of beautiful fireflies, the natural beauty wasn't something that captivated him. As far as necessities went, he knew how to read the stars for navigation on his voyages. There was never any interest to delve deeper, so the fascination shown in his expression was nothing more than a pretense.
Once in a while, he would dare to steal a few glimpses at the raven-haired girl who sat nearby. In spite of having faced countless sea Danger Beasts and pirates, the sailor wasn't sure what to do or think in this scenario. No military training he was ever involved in dealt with a nonchalant girl who was also a deadly assassin.
'Why did I get stuck with this one of all people?' Even as his thoughts crossed his mind, the answer morphed itself into existence. Initially, he was paired up with Ran in the morning, Bols in the afternoon and was supposed to switch to Tatsumi after dusk. However, his Captain had decided to spend some quality time with her fiancé and demanded to swap partners.
A soundless sigh left his lips in the form of a steamy breath. Aside from the mountain being naturally cooler than the Capital, there was also the fact that Esdeath was responsible for the low temperature. In her endeavor to impress Tatsumi, she had utterly purged most of the mountain's Danger Beasts with Weissschnabel. If Wave possessed a hawk's vision and was to cast his sight far to the east side of the mountain, then surely he would still be able to see the icicles that remained lodged in the corpses.
Instinctively, he huddled closer to the fire.
Contrary to Wave, Kurome didn't seem to be as affected by the cold. With her bag of snacks opened and popped right next to her, she was giving her katana the usual maintenance. But every now and then, Wave noticed how she would glance in the direction of the cooking meat and her mouth would water slightly.
"What?" Given her position, it wasn't so surprising when Kurome detected his clandestinely gazes and fired a piercing glare. However, what made Wave exasperated was the manner that the deadly expression soon melted away to give birth to a pair of obsidian with doll-like properties. Like a mother protecting its child, Kurome pulled the string around her bag closed with one hand and drew it close to her. "You can't have any!"
"I don't want any," he reassured. Her gluttonous nature was already a known fact, though the sailor had to resist the twitch on his mouth from becoming noticeable.
"Really?" Kurome shot him a suspicious look, presumably wary because of his earlier behavior. "Then keep your eyes off me and my sweets. Your smell is already bothering me. I don't want your gaze that makes my senses tingle."
"Whoa, that's harsh…" Wave flinched, feeling two invisible blows knock the wind out of his lungs. Their exchange was getting nowhere, and fast. Kurome clearly didn't seem keen to be partnered with him for the night and was projecting an unapproachable aura as she always did. Yet, he was not the type to give up. The primary objective was to improve teamwork. Failing to show result would most likely incur Esdeath's wrath. That was the last thing Wave wanted, considering all the rumors about the Ice General being merciless when dishing out a dose of punishment to her subordinates.
'I still have things I want to do before I die! Ah, I can't get cold feet now of all times!' With a mental image of Esdeath smirking maliciously haunting him, he took a deep breath for composure. Tossing the twig he had into the fire, the look in his eyes shifted to reflect a burning determination. "Look, Kurome. The Captain wants the two of us to get along and right now, we don't have much to show. I really don't want to get taken out of the team before we even get started on the real stuff. And I think neither do you. So I'll ask again, what's your problem with me?"
The seriousness portrayed in his tone seemed to have gathered Kurome's attention. The assassin stopped the cleaning motion with the cloth she had in her hand. Lifting her head up, she studied Wave's features for a brief moment before finally opening her mouth to speak. "There's no point in becoming friends with you, Wave."
"Huh? Why?" At that reply, Wave was completely baffled. "We're both fellow members of the Jaegers. And you seem to get along fine with the others."
"…"
"Come on, you can't keep avoiding the topic forever," he urged after her silence, to which she finally relented.
"I know your type. You're the type that will charge recklessly ahead. The type that is too kindhearted for their own good. That's why I know you'll likely be our first casualty. And at the moment, Yatsufusa doesn't have enough room to keep another friend. So I don't want us to become friends." As if trying to emphasize something, Kurome hoisted her blade in front of her. The surface of the steel gleamed with a faint glow of red from the light of the campfire. It was an eerie sight, perhaps all the more so due to the spine-chilling undertone from its wielder.
There was something mildly disturbing about the last part in her words, though Wave found his attention glued to another point. "And how do you even know what kind of person I am? We haven't even talked all that much because you keep on flat out ignoring me."
"Our first real mission near Gyogan Lake," came the unfinished sentence that made Wave's eyebrows wrinkled in confusion.
"We took down a fortress of bandits. What about it?"
"The order was to eliminate them all. You announced that you're able to do your best and fight for the sake of your country even if it means your life."
"…You've got a good memory." Wave couldn't help but cut in. Despite having a recollection that he did make such proclamation, the exact wording had already eluded him.
Kurome narrowed her eyes, her obsidian drilling a hole into his blue orbs. "Yet, you didn't land any killing blow. You didn't even draw your sword and resorted to hand-to-hand. Not to mention that you messed up our formation by trying to be a big hero even when I already knew that there was an ambush."
'Is the last part your real reason for being so stingy with me?' It was on the tip of Wave's tongue to articulate what was on his mind. Nevertheless, the way that Kurome stared at him was so unsettling that he unconsciously swallowed. Along with a gulp of saliva were those words that disappeared down his throat. Hence, he had to gather something else to say and what sparked was not what he had expected. "What about Tatsumi then? He didn't go for the kill as well."
"The comparison is unjust. Unlike you, his movements show that he's still new to this whole thing. Her own feelings aside, that's the other reason why the Captain is mentoring him, staying close to his side in case something does happen." Kurome shrugged and returned her blade to its scabbard. She closed her eyes and paused momentarily, as if juggling with the decision of whether or not to continue. "On the other hand, you're supposed to be a trained military man. You shouldn't need a babysitter. The Captain praised you, saying that your strength was already perfected. But from what I can see, you won't last minutes against the assassins from Night Raid. You'll probably be blown away like some minor character in a manga I got to read once."
Anyone else might've been upset with the derision latched onto her voice. Nonetheless, when overlooking her attitude, Wave could discern the hidden concern weaved into her remarks. In that sense, the girl didn't seem as emotionless as he had first presumed. With loss as her teacher during her days as an assassin, she must've learned to detach herself from other people. There were still some critical aspects of her outlook missing, though from what he managed to collect thus far, he felt that he was finally beginning to understand the raven-haired girl more. At that, he couldn't suppress the small smile of satisfaction that appeared on his face, akin to someone having solved a very difficult puzzle.
"What's so amusing?" Kurome asked, placing her bag of sweets into her lap and loosening the string that sealed her treats inside. She shrugged again and gave him an exasperated look. "The joke is on you."
"Don't look at me like I've gone crazy. I won't get myself blasted off like a buffoon. I'm stronger than I look and since my time serving in the navy, I've got the skill and experience to back me up," said Wave, not intending to brag but merely speaking what was on his heart.
"So? They're coming from your mouth. Not the most reliable source I know." The assassin remained inexpressive, obviously still doubtful.
"Man!" Unknowingly having picked up on Yukio's habitual phrase, Wave clapped both his knees in mild exasperation before shaking his head. "You're really difficult, you know? But get this, just because I'm giving my enemy a chance to surrender doesn't mean I don't understand the protocol or that I'll fall prey to any underhanded tactics they may pull."
"Where does all the confidence come from?" Now it was time for bemusement to spread on Kurome's face.
He could resist a small smirk, half-anticipating her to be surprised by his next comment. "Cause you'll come to my rescue just like how I'll come to yours if you ever need it. That's what friends do after all."
"You're persistent," she muttered as she shifted her feet slightly. The hand that had slipped into the opened bag was left suspended in midair, the tip of her finger just brushing over a sweet.
"That's what most people back home say about me. As the man of the sea, I'll never give up, even against the biggest and most overwhelming waves in the ocean." Once again, as his intention was not to boast but rather state what he believed was the truth, there was not the slightest amount of doubt to be found. He jabbed his thumb towards his heart and make a proclamation each syllable with utmost clarity. "A certain great man once told me to just do my best and fight for the sake of the country. His words are engraved into my heart. I serve and protect. So you can leave your back to me and know that I'll guard it with my very life."
Kurome shook her head, unimpressed. "You talk big. But I know you'll let me down."
"Don't be like that. I know it's hard for you but try trusting me," he almost pleaded as his arm dropped back down to his side. Before he realized how it occurred, obtaining the trust of the guarded assassin had become a top priority, even with Esdeath's possibly punishment being forgotten. Perhaps it was because he sympathized with her or because he couldn't bear the idea of the young girl continuing to isolate herself from others. Whatever the reason was, he refused to abandon the notion of forging a friendship with Kurome.
What came next was unforeseen. In what he deemed was an optical illusion, Kurome's face softened as she gave his words some deliberation. But before he could confirm the reality of what he was presented with by rubbing his eyes, the expression that she displayed was one of menacing contempt. "The only one who I will allow to stand back-to-back with me, the only one I can fully trust, has already betrayed me."
"Akame of Night Raid…" he uttered, knowing straight away who the subject of the topic was. The wanted posters presented to him when he was given an introduction to Night Raid flashed across his mind. He recalled the image of the one girl who shared a similar appearance to Kurome.
"That's right. My traitorous sister. She's the only family I can remember. I was so little when we were sold off to the Empire that I don't even remember the faces of my parents. I don't want to either and sis never mentioned them."
"So your parents also…" Wave didn't get to finish for Kurome was swift to express what was left hanging tentatively at the back of his throat.
"Well, it must be a family thing. They abandoned me and sis, probably because they didn't want to bear the burden of feeding two extra mouths anymore. We were then taken in and trained to be assassins. Many died off in the first trial but sis and I managed together. Back when the going was rough, she was always there for me. She even promised that she'll always be with me forever."
"Kurome…" Wave cautiously called out, noticing how the girl's hands had tightened around her bag of sweets in what seemed to be an oblivious display of anguish. But as if unable to perceive his voice, she continued on without giving any form of acknowledgment.
"Yet, in the end, she turned her back on me for the rebels, breaking that promise like it was nothing…" Whatever little sorrow attracted soon dispersed into nothing as a murderous glint manifested. For the first time ever, Wave was fully exposed to the madness that she had kept hidden as it swirled and formed a distorting mess of two whirlpools raging on the surface of her black orbs. "Heh! She shattered my only hope like it was nothing. Oh, how I wish to meet her again so badly. I can't wait to give her a taste of her own medicine. I'll extinguish the light of hope in her eyes as I end her life with my own two hands."
A heavy silence descended upon them. The atmosphere tensed as Wave recoiled as if choked by his partner's declaration. His mouth dried faster than a patch of water in a desert. Try as he might, he couldn't shrug it off like it was nothing. It was a whole new level of apprehension that crept into his skin. His stomach throbbed, feeling the weight of the information he was being forced to digest. Distraught, he reached his hand for his forehand and clenched the left side. 'This is all messed up. She's going to kill her sister?! That's batshit crazy. This kind of thinking can't be normal… Is this screwed up mindset the result of being abandoned?'
As strong as his anxiousness was, there was a sense of pity that struggled for dominance. Would Kurome have developed such skewered standpoint if there was someone to guide her? In that sense, couldn't one say that Akame was to be blamed? Regardless of the reason, the older sibling had abandoned her sister when she needed guidance the most. Because of the traumatic experience of being discarded, Kurome had not only become detached but was also under the impression that killing would solve all her problems.
'I can't… This is just too much. But if I stop here, wouldn't that be the same as what Akame did? Even if Kurome has the Jaegers now, her heart will remain close off. She'll still be all alone, unable to fully trust anyone else. I don't want that to happen. She's already suffered enough. It's time to make a change. And I'll be the one to help her!' His brain felt like it was about to burst, though perseverance ultimately trampled over all other emotions. He peeked through the slits between his fingers, noticing that Kurome had returned to being emotionless.
He realized that he had lost the chance to continue their exchange when he had allowed the silence to reign. During the short moment that he was soaked with a bucket of uncertainty, Kurome had decided that her bag of sweets deserved her attention more.
But before he could deliberate on how he could select a lighter topic for discussion, the youngest member of the Jaegers opened her mouth to speak.
"The food is going to burn." Her nose nearly wrinkled and she was just about to save what she could when the sailor caught on.
In haste, he beat her to the task. With a shorter distance to cover, he merely had to bend only and spun the skewer around to expose the other side of the meat to the flames. Nevertheless, one look and it was apparent that it was too late to erase the damage done. The part that was now facing up was charred, with the skin burnt black.
"Damn, that's not going to taste good. Argh… how about this? As a token of our new friendship, I'm gonna let you take the unburnt potion," he offered, rotating the stick around in a slow rhythm.
"Since when did I say we'll be friends?" asked Kurome, her tone acerbic as she returned to a comfortable sitting position.
"Well, if you didn't inwardly consider me as a friend then you wouldn't have told me about your sister. Normal people don't just go up to strangers and tell them personal information like that." He intentionally left out his opinion on the matter, of how he couldn't agree with her viewpoint. The mood he created had taken effort and the last thing he wanted was to return to being given the silent treatment.
'At least I'm getting replies from her now instead of a katana to the face.' He supposed it was an achievement to be proud of, considering that Kurome seemed to be actually warming up to him somewhat.
"Wow." Kurome feigned surprise despite the apparent sarcasm. "I didn't know Wave had it in him to make such a comeback. I thought you were too stupid for that kind of thing."
Okay, that was one response he could do without. It was another remark that tested his patience. But this time, he wouldn't let her take the advantage. Folding his arm and giving a helpless shrug, he spoke in a relaxed manner. "That's harsh. But I'm more capable than you think. Maybe it's because you rely too much on your first impression on people. I know I didn't make much of one like the others but that can't be all for a proper evaluation, right?"
"Weren't you the one who said that first impressions are important? Isn't that why you strolled up to the conference room on the first day while trying to act all cool? And failed spectacularly?"
"Gah!" he flinched as if struck by a bat in the kneecaps. "How did you know that?"
"Bols-san told me," answered Kurome in a monotone, deliberately leaving out the part that it was her who had asked for the information. Deeming the meal to be ready, she secured her bag on her belt before whipping out Yatsufusa. With a sequent of high-speed motion, she sliced the meat with such professionalism that it would've impressed a butcher. Catching her potion, she watched with a brief flash of content as Wave acted on reflex and managed to secure his half with his hands.
Carefully avoiding the hottest parts, Wave inspected his food and arched an eyebrow upon realizing what she did. "Hang on. I told you that you can get the good side."
He was just about to make a move to switch the potions when she rotated herself on the rock she was sitting on until she was shielding her meat with the left side of her body.
"If's fie. Yu're remwding mew of my idiotic siwter. Sop puwpering mew lik I'm stil a chiwld." She chomped on the meat, tearing a large chunk off in spite of the steam that was being emitted. What came out of her throat next were barely discernible due to her masticating, though by some miracle, Wave picked up on the meaning. (Translation: "It's fine. You're reminding me of my idiotic sister. Stop pampering me like I'm still a child.")
He thought it was best not to argue further, understanding how obstinate the assassin was. So he settled with his dinner and munched on it. The taste wasn't as delectable as he would've preferred and it was slightly too hot inside his mouth. But considering that it was his first attempt, he was rather pleased with the outcome. Enjoying the texture that danced on his tongue, he chewed and swallowed before making an endeavor to test out his current luck. "So are you really not going to reconsider m—"
It appeared that Kurome could just barely resist rolling her eyes as she gulped down another mouthful. "You're so dense. I wouldn't be sharing my food with you otherwise."
"Since when did it become your food? I cooked it," Wave pointed out before taking another careful bite of his our potion.
"I'm the one who hunted it down and killed it while you nearly became a prey for its buddies," she said, finally too tempted to not roll her eyes.
"I didn't know that they would bait us and then sneak up on us in groups. Look, I know all the behaviors of the Danger Beasts that appear on the sea but as for the mountain types, I'm completely clueless," he protested in a feeble manner before something clicked inside his head like a light bulb being switched on. A smile intended for appeal made its way across his face as he leaned forward slightly. "So you know… it'll be great if someone can teach me about them."
"I get it. Fine, but I refuse to repeat myself." Following an exasperated sigh were soft words that still managed to travel into Wave's ears.
"I'll do my best, sensei!" Wave bowed with a booming enthusiasm that was as pure as it was indisputable. Taking a peep upward for a reaction, he watched with a growing fascination as a small but genuine smile graced the girl's features for the tiniest fraction of a second. It seemingly went unnoticed by Kurome however, as it absolved as quickly as it appeared.
For that briefest of moments, Wave noticed through the slits of his bangs how the frosty layer that covered her eyes had liquefied, revealing the gentleness that slumbered deep within. Memorized, his breath caught in his throat. And it was at that point that he knew that the memory was permanently etched in his brain despite the divine smile being so ephemeral.
There was still a long way to go before they could mutually trust and rely on each other. However, a glimmer of hope was set ablaze upon the emergence of her exceedingly rare smile. Surely, one day, he would come to know and understand the girl named Kurome underneath the assassin persona she donned on.
Night Raid Members Remaining: 8
Mission: None
The Four Present in the Capital: 4
The Jaegers Members Remaining: 7
Author's Notes (part 2): Okay, things didn't proceed exactly as planned because I didn't get to fully switch back to Night Raid in this chapter. Still, I do feel that the Wave and Kurome moment inserted in this chapter is important because it helps develop not only their character as individuals but also illustrates the direction of their growing relationship. After all, Kurome is a big factor in Akame's life so she's definitely going to be placed in the spotlight. And let's not forget that Wave's involvement in the manga as a truly spectacular moment that the anime didn't depict.
But next time, I can say for certain that Night Raid will be the sole focus. As reassurance, here's an earlier preview of the next chapter, Kill the Grave.
Yukio: "I hope... But food tastes better when you're enjoying it with others…"
Sheele: "That was Mine's Pumpkin!"
?: "Capture, capture,"
Ieyasu: "D-damn it, Tatsumi! Take… this! Ugh! I'll have you… *hic*… crying for your mommy!"
Now, it's been a while since I've done this but this section is dedicated to recapitulating the relevant plot events. Here are some things that can be reviewed over or considered for this chapter:
Yatsufusa's name translated into English is "Eight Tassel", which is a fitting name considering that it can control up to eight puppets.
The bandits mentioned by Kurome were the group that appeared in episode 10 of the series, the one that was eliminated following the Jaeger's debut. In this story, this mission was done 'off screen' (between the events in chapter 22 and 23) considering how identical it would've been compared to the canon.
Until next time!