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: Phew, looks like I did make it on time with the schedule I originally set this time around. Well, this chapter is a lengthy one and filled with character interactions so I'm rather pleased with how it turned out (once I clarified with my trusty betareader that no one was acting OOC. Thank goodness for that!). So I'm hoping that all of you will enjoy this one.

More importantly, a big thank you to Ultimatrix bearer, Dracus6, SeihoTheNeko, and Toby Succs for the lovely reviews. Your feedbacks are very much appreciated.

Ultimatrix bearer: Thank you! Yes, there is quite a bit going on last chapter and I was actually afraid that it'll be an info dump. Haha. There's going to be more about the Imperial Arms in the future so that's something to look forward to.

Dracus6: I know that I may have said this before, but I'm flattered that you're giving me all these wonderful recommendations. Nevertheless, I have no intention of writing new fanfics lest I put some on hiatus to reduce the workload. I will, however, keep your recommendations in mind and perhaps write something related once I have more time available.

SeihoTheNeko: I'm not an expert on Seiyuus either but I did give your question some thought. Ultimately, I considered Yuki Kaji's voices for Yukine from Noragami and Haruyuki Arita from Accel World to match what I think Yukio's voice would sound like. As for the current predicament revolving around Yukio and Akame… it's not my intention to break apart the shipping but it can't all be smooth sailing unfortunately. Well, relationships are complicated, even without all the memory loss. Also, love the way that you're theorizing and how you're picking up the tiniest clues.

Toby Succs: Hi there. I believe this is the first time I've replied to you. It's awesome to see a new reader and thank you so much for leaving a review of what you're thinking about this story. Ah yes, I can see how Yukio's character may not be enjoyable for some to read. However, I've designed his traits based on Akame's, so that he'll serve as a counterpart to her and a central narrator for this story. That's where his wimpy nature stems from and honestly, I'm really happy that you're giving me some inputs on what you think of him. When OCs are created, it is really constructive to know how well they are incorporated into the tale and whether they accidentally fall into the Mary Sue/Gary Stu category. So thank you.

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(Beta read by Revan the Edgelord)

Chapter 32— Kill Your Memories

"If I can forget everything one day,

being alive will be so easy.

If I fall into the other side of oblivion,

that means I am running away.

Even the meaning of having lived will disappear."

-Brave Song (Angel Beats ED)

…

"Your important memories, I want to be in them too.

And your world, which I have never seen,

I want to learn more about it."

-YOU (Shuffle OP)

Location: Imperial Palace (Garden). Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day 111).

Wave felt miserable, reduced to a shivering mess left in an awkward position due to having his body encased in ice from the neck down. Next to him was Kurome, who was chomping on her sweets with the apathetic expression that she always wore. Although he wasn't expecting much, his intolerance for the bone-drilling chills prompted him to call out for her aid. "Kurome, quit munching for a minute and help me out, will you? B-brr, I-I'm freezing here! Achooo!"

"No. It's Wave's fault for getting in the Captain's way. That was stupid. Keep meddling in businesses that you aren't supposed to, and you'll be listed as our first casualty before all the real action starts." Leaving out the part where she doubted she could crack the thick ice even if she gave an earnest attempt, the black-eyed assassin shrugged. She spared the sailor a disinterested look and would've patted him on the shoulder with half-hearted mockery if only touching the block wouldn't risk her fingers getting any frostbites.

"I couldn't j-just s-sit around and watch, c-can I?" Wave asked incredulous, his words leaving in chunky parts due to his chattering.

"You really should've," Kurome answered, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "It's not like you can stop them."

Hating the fact that she was correct, Wave's blue eyes followed his companion's black ones. In contrast to her nonchalance, his were filled with apprehension. Even from here, he could tell that his vice-captain's endeavor was going to be a painful struggle. Saliva formed inside his drying mouth and he gulped. 'Good luck, Tatsumi…'

Even supposing that telepathy was one of Tatsumi's abilities, he probably wouldn't have paid Wave much heed in his haste. Never could he recall having ever run this fast in his entire life. But considering the one after him, he had all the reason to use up every ounce of his strength to scurry. He pressed down hard on the grass, which crunched nosily under the weight of his armored feet as his knees bent. Leaping into the air, he found solid footing on a nearby rooftop. A split second later, the grassy spot he had been on was caked in a thick sheet of white.

'Damn, I can't lose her! She's gaining up on me!' Panic stimulated three of the biggest steps he had ever taken before he felt something cold and hard form around his legs. Sweat broke from his forehead. He made a frantic pull to thwart out using his enhanced strength, managing one successful step before the ice solidified even faster around his limbs.

Escape was impossible now.

He let out a grunt when he felt the familiar chills descend on every single cell in his body from below the neck. Even with the protection of his armor, he was not immune to the latent cold that emanated from the ice block. Resisting the urge to tremble from both the cold and terror, he fixed his gaze on the one responsible for his current predicament. Her posture was filled with her typical confidence, her high-heeled boots clicking in a refined and steady pace as she drew closer towards him. To most people, nothing out of the ordinary could be detected. Nonetheless, Tatsumi had spent enough time to decipher the tiniest changes on her features. Lacking their customary sheen that was mesmerizingly beautiful as it was primal, her cerulean eyes were etched with a hint of desperation and the strongest of all needs to tame whatever was before her.

The realization should've bemused Tatsumi and sparked a torrent of curiosity, not cause apprehension that crawled into his skin. That would've been the case if he wasn't her current target. He felt his back soaked with sweat despite the cold temperature around him. To make the matter worse, the one approaching him had her head tilted at an angle where her bangs would cast an ominous shadow over half of her face.

"Esdeath, why are you acting like this?" Fleeing was futile so he attempted to sway her with words. He had always known that Esdeath wasn't exactly what he would describe as a sane person. Honestly, could she even be classified as a human anymore, both physically and mentally? While her possessive antics were nothing new by now, the fact that she had announced she would take him as her pet immediately after waking up was so terrifying that his brain activated the flight response without a moment's delay.

Hence, his current predicament involved him donned in Incursio and rendered immobile as the Empire's Strongest General walked over to claim her prized catch. Without a word, her hand reached out for him in an uncharacteristic manner that was so slow it was as though she was actually afraid of something. The notion only briefly crossed Tatsumi's mind before he dismissed as nonsense. For in the instance Esdeath found his armored face, her fingers worked with the familiar rhythm of affectionate caresses.

"Why can't you understand that I have no intention of being your plaything? I'm a human being, not an animal to keep as a pet."

"Is that why you run from me, Tatsumi?" she asked, her voice low and unreadable.

"Why else? This isn't what a healthy relationship is supposed to be like." Apart from aiming to reason with her, he opened the topic to her interest in hopes of deducing the cause for her peculiar behavior. 'She's acting strange, even for her standards. If I can just figure out what's wrong, I should be able to get myself out of this mess.'

"But nothing in our relationship will change; you are mine regardless." Not comprehending the significance of his protests, Esdeath withdrew her hand and reached into the storage compartment inside her jacket. What she pulled out prompted immediate dread to consume Tatsumi, his pupils dilating as they zoned in on the round metallic object that was imprinted with the emblem of the Partas Clan on the front. If that thing was to be placed around his neck, then the life he knew of would be over.

"How is adding a dog collar on me and keeping me on a leash next to you forever not going to change our relationship?" he argued, inwardly shivering at thought of sharing the same fate Numa Seika. The renowned prince of the Northern Race was now nothing more than a laughing stock. Any chances of him being remembered as a dignified warrior were completely gone, replaced by the tales circulating around the palace detailing a pathetic man stripped naked and happily licking the Ice Queen's boots like a love-sick puppy. 'Ugh! No way I'm letting that be my future! Never!'

"Remove your armor, Tatsumi," Esdeath ordered, her voice dripping with authority. "I've ascertained the size, to fit without any discomfort. You will wear it to indicate you're mine. If you refuse to cooperate, I will have no choice but to resort to extreme measures."

'Isn't this extreme enough!? This woman is unbelievable!' Perchance persuading the stubborn Ieyasu would yield a higher success rate than trying to converse with the Ice Queen, Tatsumi noted sourly. She wasn't taking in anything he said, her mind fixed on her objective like a charging rhinoceros. It then dawned on him that there was a mad drive in her mannerism, almost as though she was trying to distract herself from a problem that hasn't gotten the chance to manifest. In other words, she was being overly precautious about something.

"What… what are you afraid of?" Tatsumi probed, his voice coming out as a faint whisper that sounded as unconfident as he felt.

Usually, this would be the time for Esdeath to proclaim that she had nothing to fear, with her words reinforced by a radiating aura that boasted her almighty strength. But it was different today, for the Empire's Strongest was eerily silent for a moment. Her eyebrows furrowed so dangerously low they seemed to be joined at the ends. Then all of her pensiveness disappeared, her brows returning to their original resting position and a smirk descending on her features. "Hoh, are you implying I have something to fear, Tatsumi? I can assure you, as the strong that preys on the weak, I am the one who surmounts all. That includes all things, people, and emotions."

'Your philosophy lacks the usual edge. It sounds more like an excuse for some reason.' Tatsumi dared not give voice to his honest thought so he swallowed it down and instead said, "… Maybe fear isn't the right word to use. I'll word it differently. What's preoccupying your mind? This is way too extreme, even for you."

"No matter what extremes I must resort to… Tatsumi, I refuse to lose you."

"What's with this sudden concern? Just a few days ago, you weren't fazed by the idea of me or anyone from the Jaegers trying to abandon our post. You're confident with your ability to hold us all in check. What happened to that confidence? Besides, I haven't gone anywhere or tried to escape! So why—"

"And I shall keep it that way," Esdeath interrupted, her fingers pulling the collar open. The metallic loop unfastened and Tatsumi could feel the metaphoric door of his prison closing in on him. "This will guarantee that you stay by my side forever."

Tatsumi's teeth pressed so tightly together that he almost cracked them. Was there nothing else he could do?

"We found Stylish's body." Oddly enough, it was Mamoru's cool voice that washed away the horror that was raging inside his head. Everything suddenly clicked into place and it was then that Tatsumi finally figured out what was going on with the sadistic general. The news from the Silencer yesterday had not only broken Seryu down into tears and subsequently returned the Jaegers back to their original task of hunting down Night Raid, but it must've affected Esdeath more than he believed it would. Could it be that she was concerned that he would somehow end up like Dr. Stylish? It seemed farfetched for her to be this sentimental, though it was the only plausible reason he could think of.

He loosened his jaw muscles by taking a deep breath. "I… How about this? I can promise you, Esdeath! I promise you that I won't ever run off. Even if I do get separated from the group, I'll do everything I can to come back to you safely. I promise! So, please… you don't have to do this."

For a fleeting moment, Esdeath felt the weight of her fiancée's words that set her heart ablaze. Foreign conflict stirred and for the first time since she could remember, she found herself wondering if she should simply make a compromise with the boy she loved so much. But going back on her initial intent would suggest resignation, a sign of weakness that was intolerable. No, that would not do; she couldn't allow it. "Promises are fickle, Tatsumi. It is an utterance of the weak, hardly anything substantial against the foundation of nature's laws."

"Dammit! Can't you be reasonable for once in your life?" Something snapped inside Tatsumi. Her outrageous philosophy and her obsession with him drove him to his limits. Complacency with his early and forced marriage had always been something that he was struggling to reach, though he was hopeful that things would eventually work out. With time, perhaps he could convince Esdeath the values of his dream and they could reshape the Empire while building on their relationship. But now, he realized it was all wishful thinking and his pent up emotions flared in an eruption of burning fury. "Why can't you believe me? I won't be going anywhere because this place is my – our – only hope! Our village's only hope for a stable source of income! Why can't you be satisfied knowing that? All you care about is trying to dominate over me with your sadistic ways. Stop being so destructive in everything you do and consider someone else's feelings for once!"

Stop being so destructive…

Being so destructive…

So destructive…

Destructive…

Tatsumi, her beloved, had just called her destructive. It was an adjective commonly associated with her and she wouldn't have cared less if it was someone else who accused her that. In fact, the brutal general side of her welcomed it to amplify fear. But the woman part of her that made her completely captivated by the young boy's charisma felt the pain. The metal blow struck harder than any physical attack could ever accomplish. Esdeath's hand quickly reached up to tip her cap over her widening eyes. In that second, it was all done instinctively as her mind flashed back to the troubled scene that she had witnessed – no, experienced – last night.

"Tonight is your last chance. Join me, Tatsumi!" As uncharacteristic as it was, her voice cracked with sparks of authority mixed in with pure desperation. "That way, I can absolve you of everything you've done."

Even with all her convincing, she was met with a spiteful glare from the teenager standing before her, separated by the steel bars. "…I'm already prepared to die. I won't join the Empire just to save my own life."

She could practically hear her own teeth crack as she clutched her jaws tight. Her hand shot to her chest, her characteristic phlegm and controlling aura tossed aside to be replaced by genuine imploring. "Don't think of it as joining the Empire, but as becoming mine!"

"That even more so, I can't do,' he told her, the animosity and rejection so thick that they were oozing out from every fiber of his body. He turned away, his back facing her with complete defiance. "I've already told you that. I don't want to be with someone who spreads destruction!"

The Tatsumi in her dreams was so like the real Tatsumi. So much so that she was made to believe that they would've become worst enemies instead of lovers should things play out with even the slightest variation. Tatsumi had openly told her that he loathed her destructive nature in a similar manner to his dream counterpart. Did that imply that her dream was actually a premonition, warning her not to take things with Tatsumi for granted? Somehow, there was an unshakable sensation that it was much bigger than that. The thought generated a foreign twist of discomfort from within. 'To think that a dream could cause so much fuss. Yet…'

A shadow flew into her peripheral with insane speed. Distracted as she was, it was her instinct that moved her body. She rushed forward, catching the vicious fist that was meant for Tatsumi's face. The tiles beneath her cracked, her hair simultaneously twirling from the shockwave. Sensing that her opponent was about to withdraw, she pursued with her well-toned leg lashing out.

In retrospect, Hidou should've expected it. After all, the Ice Queen was not one who would permit an attack go unpunished. Nonetheless, he couldn't act fast enough to prevent her boot from ramming into his ribs. The blunt impact was bone-shattering and worse, it couldn't be absorbed by his Inferno Armor. Hidou crashed face first into the dirt and skidded to an abrupt stop at the base of a wall. The collision with the vertical surface drove pain through his head, though it was barely anything compared to the agonizing mess that was his side. Cracking open an eye with a low groan, he instantly felt the aftermath of being tossed around at sea while on a small boat. Had his brain been able to function properly, then surely even he would've been impressed that he had managed to keep his breakfast inside his stomach.

"Ack, t-the hell…" he moaned in between several coughs.

"General Hidou. I thought I made it clear that there shall be no tolerance for anyone wishing to lay their finger on Tatsumi," said Esdeath, her expression flashed with irk as she watched the man below struggling to recover. Her cerulean eyes flickered from Hidou to Mamoru, the latter who she had just noticed was standing silently near where the former laid, with half of his body concealed within the shadow of the wall.

'I have been negligent.' It was a startling realization that it had taken an open display of hostility before she became aware of the two generals' arrival. She should've sensed them long ago, especially since Hidou was one for theatrics. Sloppy couldn't even begin to define it; had she been on a battlefield, the blunder would've been fatal. A scowl, one that she didn't bother concealing, marred her fair features. She must be getting unprecedentedly soft that something as trivial as a dream could have such an effect.

"Your brutality never fails to amaze me, General Esdeath. Argh, I think I have a few cracked ribs… Damn, next time I won't play the role of a good guy and help a poor man escape the wrath of his lover." The words left with another groan and the Wildfire could taste something metallic working its way up to his throat. He coughed, droplets of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth and dribbling down onto the grass.

'Liar. You weren't aiming for the ice at all.' At another time, Tatsumi would have made his fierce retort known. He kept quiet this time, unwilling to risk attracting Esdeath's attention, as he watched the generals interact.

"Your ribs will not be your primary concern soon. That I can assure you, General Hidou." A menacing smirk manifested on the Ice Queen's lips and all of a sudden, the temperature plummeted by several degrees. "I shall leave some painful reminders on your body as to why you should never provoke me."

"…Heh, my point exactly." Pushing himself into a sitting position, Hidou masked his inward nervousness with a chuckle while Tatsumi and Wave simultaneously flinched. Even Kurome, who appeared indifferent, had unconsciously reached for Yatsufusa. Only Mamoru remained unfazed as he sliced through the condensing tension with his monotonous cadence.

"Stop this senseless violence." Mamoru's sapphire orbs were locked onto Tatsumi like a hawk while he spoke. If he possessed any concern for his former apprentice's situation, then it was all left for interpretation as he merely raised an eyebrow by a fraction. There was a long pause that no one could decipher the reason for before he finally decided to continue. "No one will fight. Minister's orders."

The Wildfire and the Silencer were known to be at odds with each other so it was no surprise that the two have each other's demeanor memorized. Thus, the former quickly took the cue and utilized the opening the latter provided him. For his wounded pride though, he made a brisk promise that gratitude was the last thing he would give. "Ah, that reminded me. Minister wants the three of us and the Jaegers to meet up with the Emperor in an hour's time. He wants to discuss the mass outbreak of Danger Beasts recently. I'm sure you've heard the rumors by now."

What the general kept behind the flippancy on display was the waves of exhilaration at the situation on hand. The outside assistance he had enlisted was creating a lot more chaos than his expectations. 'Heh. So he let Stylish's abominations run free. Not bad. Truly not bad at all. Phase C is being set in motion. Hahaha!'

"More interferences? Hoh, the constant disturbances are getting old. But orders are orders. I shall postpone my current hunt for this minor assignment." Brushing off her discontent with a scoff, Esdeath snapped her fingers with a sharp click. At the sound that echoed into the vicinity, the ice that was keeping the two armor Teigu users stationary shattered into tiny indiscernible particles that rapidly melted under the soft sunlight. Directing a long meaningful look at Tatsumi, she then returned to the ground and made her exit with the harsh taps of her high-heels.

It was only after he was certain that the Ice Queen had left the area did Tatsumi release the breath that he didn't know he was holding.

Location: Margue Plateau (Near the River). Time: Morning. Year: 1024 (Day 111).

Yukio scrubbed Ieyasu's dirty top with a vigorous drive that would make one believe that his life was dependent on getting the cloth cleaned. Some water droplets from the river bank splashed against his face, soaking his bangs. Back when he was living inside a glorious palace, he had never imagined the possibility of him doing laundry one day. But here he was now, exerting all his concentration on the task so that his mind could not drift to brooding thoughts.

A split second of relaxation would submerge him in the painful reality.

A person who he considered a family perished recently, his corpse unrecognizable.

A person who he had trusted wholeheartedly was found lying to him the entire time.

A person who he cherished was now a stranger, her memories of him somehow erased.

In retrospect, he knew that there was nothing to be done about the first two predicaments; they were all in the past. Nonetheless, the third one was a present cause, the reason for the agony that twisted his heart.

Three days had passed since Akame woke up and he was informed of her memory loss. Apparently, she could recall very little about being a part of Night Raid and even less about her teammates. Her life as an Imperial assassin, however, was vivid to her as though they were events from yesterday. That was what caused the aggravation to run on an everlasting loop for Yukio. Of all the things that could have been forgotten, why did it have to be the interval after she joined Night Raid? It was so time specific that the young man had to wonder what could've possibly triggered it. He blamed it on a possible repercussion from when Akame was taken by Murasame's bloodlust. But there was no significant proof for the assumption, much like how he could not be certain if her amnesia was temporary or perpetual. He prayed fervently that it was the former.

Having become a stranger to Akame was already heart-wrenching. To aggrieve him further, the raven-haired girl seemed very nonchalant about the entire problem. The casual manner that she had shrugged off what he considered a crisis was something he could never comprehend, let alone imitate.

"Yep." At his question about her amnesia, she replied with a nod that was as firm as it was unknowingly insensitive.

"Yep?" he parroted back, his mouth opened like a gasping fish on land. "How can you be so casual?"

She merely looked confused, and her head tilted at an angle to reflect that.

"Aren't you worried about it at all? What'll happen if you can't remember?"

"There are scattered images of you that remain. So if you truly are important people in my life, then I'll remember everything about all of you soon. After all, no one can forget about someone important to them forever."

"…Akame." He found no other words in his mouth, all having been squeezed out by the despairing sense of apprehension.

Ultimately, he couldn't share Akame's faith that seemingly stemmed from nowhere. He supposed it was all tied to his pathetic nature. He was too afraid to discover the extent of his worth to Akame. What if he wasn't a part of the important people in her life? Would she ever recall who he was? The possibility drove utter terror into his brain and being the pessimist he was, he dared not dwell on the idea. So he turned his back away, avoiding his mentor as best as he could and doing small chores for the other Night Raiders.

As absorbed in his task as he was, he didn't notice that Sheele had stopped scrubbing the jacket she was holding onto in favor of taking a look at him from her peripheral. The woman's purple orbs shimmered with sorrow from behind her pair of glasses.

Even if she was rather observant regarding assassinations, the same couldn't be said when it came to people's heart. It was something she had never mastered. Nonetheless, Yukio was never a difficult person to read, as his behavior would usually betray whatever inner turmoil he might be trying to hide. In other words, it didn't take a genius to realize that the blond was troubled by notions concerning Akame. Rather than bluntly voice out her assumption like Mine would do, she instead decided to ease Yukio into having a conversation with her.

"Yukio-kun, I'm not sure if I've said this already but thank you for your help," she said as her eyes darted to the two baskets sitting behind them, now devoid of all the dirty clothes. "It would've taken a lot longer if I was doing it alone. At this rate, we should be able to hang all of them before noon."

He didn't reply immediately but felt that disregarding his senior was impolite. Giving a light hum of acknowledgement, he then decided it wasn't quite enough and parted his mouth in an absentminded manner. "…It's okay, Sheele-san. I heard that Mine is still mad after being mistaken for as laundry. And I've got nothing to do right now."

"But err, don't you have to hunt with Akame?" The young man flinched almost immediately and Sheele couldn't help but mentally berate herself. Being the airhead she knew she was, there were many moments where she would say the wrong things at the wrong times. 'And I had just promised myself I would trend with caution.'

"Akame can manage fine by herself," the Baransu user muttered, his frowning gaze pinned on the shirt he was holding as if there was a blemish that only he could notice.

Sheele's expression mimicked the disappointment plastered all over Yukio's face but for a reason that was not self-lament. For a moment, there was some deep hesitation about how to proceed. Yet, the uncertainty all but morphed into confusion when the blond abruptly spoke.

"Sheele-san, can you tell me…" he almost whispered, but lifted his voice so that it would be audible. "What is it like to forget something completely? Do you think she'll ever remember?"

Despite herself, the purple-haired assassin couldn't stop the small smile from manifesting on her face. The young man had changed from the withdrawn and pessimistic person he was. Whereas he would hide or run away from his problems before, he was now prepared to face it by being candid with his inner fears. "I… I don't really know. But I think it's important for you to accompany her. Don't let past memories get in the way of making new ones with her."

At that, Yukio perked up and stared at her with apparent bemusement.

"I know from experience," she elaborated, placing a hand over her heart in a wistful manner. "I know it's not quite the same but I'm always forgetful. It's sad when I don't remember some things. But when I have Mine with me, the past doesn't bother me as much and I can focus on the present. It's nice to have a treasured and irreplaceable friend like her."

Caught off guard by the sudden motivational speech, he could only continue to stare at the woman unblinkingly. Yet, upon comprehending that her senior had made an earnest attempt to heighten his spirit, he passed her a small smile. While a tint of distress was still present – which he knew would most likely stay until Akame had recovered her memories – there was also the unmistakable show of appreciation that he wanted to convey. "Thanks, Sheele-san. I've never thought of it that way before. I-I was so afraid of losing the past I share with Akame, the connection that binds us together on this path, that I neglected what is right before my eyes… I was so scared that I became a fool."

"Well, I think that knowing fear is necessary. It keeps us grounded in reality. But if you become too scared to pursue something that you believe deeply is worthwhile, then that's when I think you should fear yourself."

"That's deep, Sheele-san."

"Hmmm?" A soft hum escaped from Sheele's throat as she placed a finger to her chin in contemplation. "Well, I've read it from somewhere… but I don't remember exactly where."

With the woman's forgetfulness being nothing new to him, Yukio found himself letting out a quiet chuckle. Unbeknownst to him, there was a masked presence that observed the two assassins from behind a nearby tree. The small creature tossed its head once to express disapproval before melting away into the thick coverage of the plantation.

Location: Margue Plateau's Eastern Forest. Time: Afternoon. Year: 1024 (Day 111).

"I… I don't really know. But I think it's important for you to accompany her. Don't let past memories get in the way of making new ones with her."

"Yukio, over there!"

Akame's voice released the blond from his memories. Blinking twice, he shifted his eyes in the direction where the raven-haired girl was pointing at. There stood a deer-like Danger Beast with sleek brown fur near the river bank on the opposite side, drinking the clear water. What differentiated the creature from an ordinary deer was the pair of drills that replaced its antlers, which was all that was needed for identification. If Yukio remembered correctly, then it was a second-classed Danger Beast known as Hondoshika.

'Memories or no memories, I suppose some things never change. Akame is excited about this hunt, that's for certain.' Yukio gave a small smile of exasperation when he caught Akame wiping the corner of her mouth with the back of her gloved hand. Even when standing behind her, he could almost envision the drool that was threatening to fall. The creature must have sensed her obvious intention, for it reared back on its hind legs before galloping away.

"Yukio, we must go after it," urged Akame, her eyes radiating like stars as she pursued the fleeing prey. Her footsteps were light as they skimmed across the stones that enabled her to cross the stream without getting wet.

"Coming!" Having decided to shove aside his fears and re-bond with the amnesiac assassin, he joined her on the afternoon session in order to prepare for dinner. Giving a silent thank you to Sheele for her encouragement, he shifted the weight of the basket on his shoulder before following Akame's steps. The raven-haired girl's movements were still as swift as ever and for once, he felt a semblance of relief wash over him as he activated Baransu. If her movements were engraved that deeply into her body, then surely the girl he knew couldn't be that far lost to the past.

Considering the speed they were traveling, Yukio felt certain that there would catch up with the Danger Beast even with the tall trees in their way. Hence, he was taken aback when the creature suddenly disappeared, its outline distorting like a mirage in a desert.

"W-what?" Yukio's stutter held extra stress when instincts forced his body to twist sharply to the right. Not a moment later, he felt the wind brush past his face when a projectile missed him by a whisker. His eyes traced the trajectory and caught a glimpse of a crossbow strapped onto a tree. As curious as he was to investigate, he was not given much time before he had to dodge again. A swinging log tied to a branch with ropes came crashing down on him, one that compelled him to bend his knees and tucked his head down.

"W-what's happening?" he asked as he nimbly evaded another flying arrow. From his peripheral vision, he saw Akame brandishing her katana in a series of elegant swordplay that fended off all impending shafts.

"This looks like a trap," she said, her tone serious.

As if triggered by her voice, numerous traps activated. Akame and Yukio simultaneously pitted their weapons against whatever objects that being hurled at them. The two settled with the classic formation, putting their trust on each other as they rearranged themselves back to back. Projectiles ranging from flying logs to swift arrows came at them, though they were easily dispatched through the duo's combined effort.

Yukio's next attack sliced through the ropes that connected the airborne object and a branch, causing it to crash straight into the forest floor. He spared it a glance and raised an eyebrow. It was a humanoid target made of dried tufts of grass and sticks. Recognition arrived and he did not know whether to laugh or cry. If his supposition was accurate, then a certain teen currently committed to training would get pissed. 'Man, he could get seriously hurt if not he's not careful. I know he's desperate to become stronger but this is too much.'

"Akame," he called out, evading the next humanoid target spinning towards him instead of disposing of it. "I think we might've accidentally stumbled upon Ieyasu's new training spot. I saw Susanoo making these targets yesterday."

"Ieyasu? She is the boy with Senpu, correct?" The way that Yukio flinched before nodding curtly was not lost to Akame, though she ultimately brushed it off. "I have located the hidden crossbows. Give me a minute and I'll deal with them."

"Understood." The single word from him invited her to climb a tree while the young man confronted the remaining traps. Without the female assassin's assistance, he had to cover every angle possible. It was taxing, though he managed with accelerated maneuvers.

In the time that it took Yukio to unattached six humanoid targets from the ropes and sent three logs crashing into nearby trees, Akame finished with her task and returned, her body crouched low after leaping down from a nearby tree.

"It's done," she said, eliciting a tiny smile from Yukio.

But the expression was soon replaced with a panicked gasp. His heart rammed against his ribs and it was desperation that saved him when he stumbled left. An arrow came from behind, missing him by a hair's breadth. He stepped a little too far and lost his footing. His heartbeats soaring, he was barely able to adjust his posture before the jaws of a foothold trap clumped shut. There was a tear in the cuff of his pants that he ignored in favor of destroying the last of the crossbows. With a quick flick of the wrist, a dagger was sent flying with deadly accuracy.

Akame cut down the final humanoid target and rushed to Yukio's side. The young man didn't appear to have any wounds, though she decided to ask for confirmation. "Yukio, are you alright? I'm sorry I overlooked one."

"N-no worries, I'm okay," he answered with irregular breathing, pulling himself in an upright position and sitting cross-legged. His heart was pounding and he didn't need a mirror to know that his face was red. Still, he couldn't hide the exhilaration that rushed into his system. For the first time in his life, the assassin part of him brimmed with life. In the instant that the arrow skimmed past him, adrenaline exploded from within. His instinct as an assassin had stirred, allowing him to finally comprehend what Akame was talking about back on the night they encountered Zank. 'I sense it now! Everything feels so real. It's like all my senses have been heightened… and I'm not even doing this with Baransu. This must be it! This must be what Akame has been trying to explain to me, this primal instinct that slumbers within every human being! I finally have a proper grasp of what it feels like and what it does to me. I have to commit this feeling into my memory!'

The subtle excitement on his face must have seemed strange to Akame, for the assassin's eyes narrowed in a way that reflected thoughtfulness. There was a faint but unmistakable glint in her pair of rubies as she held out a gloved hand in his direction.

Seeing that, Yukio made a subconscious move to reach out from where he sat on the ground.

"Yukio-dono, I believe it is best to keep your distance from the wielder of Murasame. I suggest that you should keep your hands to yourself, especially considering your feelings." Ringing in his ears was Susanoo's warning, suddenly surfacing to remind him of the agonizing situation. He bit the corner of his cheek and pushed himself back onto his feet, all the while trying to act casual as he dusted his clothing.

Because he had averted his gaze from Akame, he failed to notice the odd concern that flickered in her ruby-colored orbs. His eyes darted to random places and it was at that point he noticed the mess they had created. Shattered weapons and ropes were tossed casually into the dirt or were left dangling from the trees. It looked so irreversible that it wasn't hard to imagine the earful they would be getting from Mine once she found out. Even Susanoo would be spotted with a frown the second he discovered that his perfectly designed system of traps was so heedlessly trashed. Would they rule it as self-defense? For a moment, Yukio was left with the musing and the idea that he was standing before a jury before deeming that they would be problems to be dealt with later. At present, his attention lingered on a human-shaped target that his senior had cut up.

While he had opted to stop the targets by slashing at the ropes, Akame had performed a complicated technique. Every target that had come into contact with her blade was marked with a single cut on each arm and leg. There was also a much larger cut that ran horizontally across the neck. Judging from its location, it was meant to slice open both carotid arteries. 'The cuts on the arms and legs look like they're targeting the brachial artery and the femoral artery… I think that's what they're called. Man, getting any severed would create a bloody mess. And to get the two carotid arteries at the same time… isn't this overkill?'

Fatal was such an understatement that Yukio was hit with a question. Since his style of attack was taught by Akame, he knew that his mentor preferred efficiency. That was why she favored conventional swordplay than the style that she operated best in, for the former was the least taxing on her body.

Curiosity burned his tongue so he opened his mouth and pointed at the damaged target. "Um… Akame, what's with that? Isn't that far too excessive?"

Following his index finger, the red-eyed girl immediately understood what her companion was trying to ask. She rested a palm on her weapon, all the while sliding her fingers across the smooth surface of the hilt. Her countenance remained as unrevealing as ever, though there was an underlying sense of wistfulness that flickered in her irises. "You mean Lycoris Radiata?"

"Lycore… radiate? I'm sorry, but what?"

"Lycoris Radiata," she corrected, her tone giving no indication that she was annoyed at Yukios mispronunciation. In fact, the young man helped evoke memories of when she had first heard the name roll off the Tsukushi's tongue and naively thought that it was a type of food. To this very day, she supposed she was still a little disappointed to know that the phrase had nothing to do with cooking and instead meant 'red spider lily'. "It's a technique I developed back when I was still an Imperial assassin, before I came to wield Murasame."

"…! Pfft." He bit his tongue but couldn't stop the snickers. As expected, she didn't let the sound go unnoticed and raised a questioning eyebrow. She made no remark, though the unblinking look insisted on an explanation. "Sorry, I… didn't think you were the type to give names to your techniques."

"I don't want to hear that from you." For the briefest of seconds, he thought he had caught a glimpse of awkwardness from her posture. It was gone before he could blink, replaced by a minuscule smile that had descended on her lips. "You named yours too, and in a more prestige tongue."

'It's German… It's something that I had to learn as part of the ro—!' The implication there was not missed by Yukio, who turned pale upon realizing that Akame was getting extremely close to figuring out his identity. As an orphan from the lower-class, the red-eyed assassin had little exposure to other languages prior to joining the assassin squad. Even then, she would not have been permitted to learn German, given it was only restricted to the Imperial family and high-ranking generals. Nonetheless, she must have served the Empire long enough to have picked up enough to recognize it. The last thing Yukio wanted was for Akame to deduce who he was; he had already decided to be the one to openly tell her when the time was right. 'Man, why did I use German in the first place? Naming everything in Japanese would have prevented this. Alright, redirect the topic. Don't let her dwell on it. Think, Yukio!'

"…Um, Baransu requires a lot of concentration to activate its abilities. Giving techniques names make it easier for me to visualize things," he blurted out without much of a second thought. "What about you? I doubt you have the same reason."

"A former comrade of mine from the Elite Seven, Tsukushi… She insisted I use the name. The technique has been perfected for a few years now and is one I favor using."

'Favor using, huh? I've never seen her use something like this before… Did she change her style after joining Night Raid? So not just her swordplay... There are also some subtle differences in her mannerism. How much of this current Akame do I know? And how much can I claim to know?' Several questions raised a lump in his throat and the young man found himself voicing the ones he couldn't hold back despite being reluctant. "Since you're saying that, am I right to assume that you still don't remember much about your time in Night Raid? Have you… do you recall the day you and I met?"

"Frankly, I don't." She shook her head. It was an answer that Yukio had expected, yet there was no denying that it was like a stab to the heart. Dejected, he nearly missed the quiet words that came out of the girl's mouth next. "…If truth be told, nor do I recall my reason for joining Night Raid. I have an instinctive feeling that this is for the better, that this is what my heart wants… But I don't really understand. The words that my adoptive father uttered, they are still fresh in my mind."

If it wasn't for how mind-blowing the content was, then surely Yukio would've zoned out while being lost in his miserable state. Nonetheless, he was dragged out of his pensiveness, with panic etched onto his features. "W-wait a minute, you're not thinking of going back to the Empire… right?"

"No… going back won't resolve the conflict in me," Akame replied, shaking her head despondently. "Nothing about my existence will be resolved unless I confront myself. The past and present are entwined together and I am at the crossroad. The next thing I— Akame —do could change everything. For me, for the Empire, and especially for Night Raid…"

"…" Yukio said nothing, his brows furrowed in a bizarre but furtive manner.

Location: Margue Plateau (Night Raid's Temporary Base). Time: Night. Year: 1024 (Day 111).

Despite the bath he just had, where he doused his head with cold water from the river, Yukio found his thoughts spinning in crazy circles inside his brain. The orders he received from their gathering after dinner resonated from the depths of his skull.

"Keep an eye on Akame, Yukio." That was what Najenda had commanded when she pulled him aside after their meeting was adjoined. As ashamed as he was, he didn't question why his leader would give the order, seeing that he was the one who informed her about Akame's unusual behaviors. Nonetheless, one could only ponder on why he was tasked for the job when there were others more suited like Chelsea and Bulat.

'Ack, I just have to believe that Boss knows what she's doing, especially when I have no idea what I'm doing. Boss won't let me down. She always has her reasons, just like how she has declared that we won't be going after the strange Danger Beasts that have been assaulting people at night.' While Yukio wasn't completely content with her decision to ignore the sudden outbreak of the Danger Beasts that were devouring people, he could understand the logic behind it. As police enforcers situated in the Capital, the Jaegers would most likely be dispatched to deal with the crisis. Once their primary enemy's forces are divided and distracted, that would mean that Night Raid would be able to undergo assassination missions easier. 'Ieyasu wasn't happy about it at all but it can't be helped, with the votes ultimately leaning heavily towards Boss' side with a seven to three.'

Since his mind was preoccupied with recollections, he absentmindedly headed towards his bedroom by rounding the next corner. Something small and brown flashed across his vision and his footsteps stumbled in order to avoid it.

"Wh-what?" he spluttered, clutching onto the towel draped on his head while looking down.

Not terrified about being trampled on in the slightest, the little kitten that the young man recognized as a species of Danger Beasts called Margue Panther gazed up at him with amusement twinkling in its red eyes.

"Meoow," it purred an affectionate greeting that would've melted any animal lover.

Under normal circumstances, he would've fallen prey to the animal's charm. Only he knew that the kitten before him was no ordinary creature, for its sole purpose for intercepting him in the corridor was to prank him. Stepping back to ensure some good distance between himself and the assassin wearing kitten skin, he decided to break apart the charade. "Chelsea-san, I'm sure you'll scratch me the moment I try to pick you up. You're trying to lure me into a false sense of security with your Gaea Foundation, aren't you?"

The kitten burst into a puff of smoke and the figure of a familiar woman appeared. Her long auburn hair was the first thing that was prominent in the dispersing smoke, followed by the red orbs that sprinkled with a radiance that could outshine the stars.

"Ohhh, very good. How did you figure it out?" In a rapid motion that Yukio couldn't quite follow, Chelsea seemingly whipped out a lollypop from out of nowhere and placed it in her mouth.

"There's some cake here," he answered, pointing to the corner of his mouth. He watched as the senior assassin wiped the cream off with a thumb. "If I recall, that's supposed to be the cake that Mine was having for dessert. Did you transform and trick her into giving you some?"

"Nice observation. Mine didn't pick up on my neat little trick until I had her. Didn't know she could be so gullible," the auburn-haired assassin grinned in a manner that exuded ample impishness, her lips stretched so wide that it was threatening to split her face into two.

"So can I. My grace is saved purely because you're being lenient and want me to poke at the self-made hole in your disguise." Her compliment was meant to generate his arrogance. Nonetheless, the young man knew better. This was a test from his senior and he was averse to failing it. "I doubt that an experienced assassin like you would leave such an obvious trail."

"Ahh, not bad at all. But by pointing that out endorses my earlier claim, you know."

'True, she got me there.' It was a trap with two layers that would've resulted in Chelsea reaping from the outcome regardless. The headphone-wearing assassin was proving to be even more devious and cunning than Leone when it came to wordplay. A wolf in sheep's clothing, there could not be anything more appropriate in the young man's arsenal of words to describe her.

"I have no retort for that," he said, giving up.

"You know what, Yukio-kun?" With that conclusive statement, Chelsea ended their current topic and opened up a new one. She moved forward and leaned in towards him, getting close enough that she could see the droplet of water that fell from the tip of his bangs. Their gaze locked temporarily before he took a hasty step back. She chuckled loudly, without any humor. "You have a nice mask. I had thought that you could only don one physically. I guess I was wrong."

"H-huh?"

"Pretending you're okay when your insides are churning with turmoil. I can see what Sheele and Leone are trying to do. Their hearts are in the right place, though they aren't approaching this right. So don't let it all be a grave mistake, Yukio-kun. Don't follow the advice, especially not Leone's."

Slow he might be but Yukio was not a fool that he couldn't pick up on the implications. Although he didn't like the manner that Chelsea dismissed Leone and Sheele's words, he knew there was no harm in taking up the additional guidance. From the looks of things, it seemed that this senior was also concerned about his wellbeing, even if she would never admit it in a way that seemed genuine. "So… are you telling me that you'll be the one to give me the proper advice?"

"I know what they're thinking," she said, shaking her head once firmly. "It won't work, not for you at least. If you're stronger, then maybe. But as you're now, you'll die once you let your emotions run wild."

Several months ago, the possibility of death would've terrified the young man. Nonetheless, his experience as a Night Raider had changed him, so much that he didn't flinch at the thought. "… Yes, but if it means something in the end, that I can help Akame change this country… then I guess I'll be able to rest in peace."

"Really? Would you? What if I tell you that if you persist, then you'll drag Akame down with you to an early grave?" Cruel as it was, Chelsea didn't hesitate to slam the hostile reality into the young man's head. Based on what she had overheard, she would have to put a halt to things before he was fully submerged in illusionary optimism. And once she 'fixed' Yukio, she would have to promptly move on and deal with Ieyasu's reckless drives. The kind of job she gave herself was not pleasant in the slightest, though she persuaded herself that it was for the better. 'They'll probably hate me. But at least this way, they won't be buried six feet under like my last team.'

Yukio's hands balled into tight palms under the cover of his sleeves, his brain whirling with numerous thoughts. But when he spoke, his tone was etched with a confidence that was rare. "I don't think Akame would let herself be dragged down by me. In the worst case scenario, only I'll end up falling and shattered."

"How a—" Cut off before she could properly articulate her inquiry, the woman with headphones found herself staring at a countenance that was set ablaze by inexplicable credence. Her mouth parted a little involuntarily and her lollypop would've been seized by gravity had she not grabbed the stick in time.

Her bemusement and surprise were completely lost to him though. A bitter smile pulled his lips up in a way that made him appear as miserable as he was certain. "That's because I don't expect what I feel to be reciprocated."

9 days left until Tatsumi and Esdeath's wedding!

Night Raid Members Remaining: 10

Mission: None

The Four Present in the Capital: 4

The Jaegers Members Remaining: 6

Preview- Kill the Skilled: with the Jaegers handling the Danger Beasts crisis outside of the Capital, Night Raid utilizes the opportunity to eliminate several corrupted individuals. It's back to assassinations for Night Raid… or is it?

Sheele: "I can understand why she feels restless. She is on a mission and Pumpkin is not with her."

Ieyasu: "I'm not gonna let those girls died horribly like what happened to a precious friend of mine. I'll never let myself live if I just sit around and do nothing!"

Yukio: "I'm an adult! And please don't drag my height into this."

Chelsea: "You're a lot slower than an average girl, but at least you got mad."

Mine: "Tsk, try and do your worst. I'll make sure you will regret it."

Akame: "Targets confirmed. Eliminate."