Esdeath, on the back of the Manta, saw Tatsumi's expression and understood his intent.

(He's going to fight them…no, he's going to kill them.)

However, it was obvious anger and mourning were consuming him: he did not even check if the soldiers coming were truly hostiles.

Tatsumi, in his current state, was going to execute them all without second thought. But Esdeath knew he would regret it later if he were to do that.

(I have to act now), she thought as the silhouettes in the woods were drawing closer.

With a simple movement of the reins, she ordered the Manta to land between Tatsumi and the woods.

The loud shock of the Manta's body slamming the ground startled Tatsumi.

"Esdeath? What are you doing?!"

"I should be the one asking this! What do you think you're doing?!"

"I'm… I will… kill these bastards…"

"You don't even know if they did this! Wait a bit before doing something you might regret!" Esdeath said with a sharp tone.

Such a sentiment coming from Esdeath was quite ironic given her past, but she was right.

Akame sent a thankful glare to Esdeath and grabbed Tatsumi hand, the one holding the sword.

"Tatsumi… listen to Esdeath. We don't even know who did this. What if you murder innocent people?"

Tatsumi violently freed himself from Akame's grip.

"Innocent?! My people were innocent! And now…"

He stopped, noticing the face Akame made when he rejected her. Almost immediately, he felt guilty.

(She's right. They're right. I'm… blind… I should not blame them for this…) he thought.

Tatsumi breathed in and out, and with his left hand, gently took Akame's.

"I'm sorry. I should not have yelled at you. I didn't want to…"

Unable to find his words, he shut his mouth and bowed his head to apologize.

Akame softened, touched by his self-control.

"It's alright, Tatsumi."

"Sorry to interrupt", Esdeath interjected, "but we are not sure if the ones coming are friendly or not. We are not to slaughter them without warning, but better be on the edge."

Esdeath maneuvered the Manta to move her behind Akame and Tatsumi. She released the reins and stood there, making sure her daughters were in the tent, in safety.

Then, an ice sword appeared in her right hand.

A troupe of armored soldiers emerged from the woods. Given their number, they looked like a patrol.

Tatsumi did not beat around the bush. His sword raised, he shouted:

"Are you the ones who did this?!"

The soldiers, dumbfounded, did not understand his question. A tall man, probably their captain, stepped forward.

"Did what? What are you talking about?"

Tatsumi pointed his dead people, half hidden by the Manta behind him.

The captain frowned and shook his head to deny.

"On my honor, we have nothing to do with this. Besides–"

Tatsumi did not let him finish his sentence.

"Then who?! Do you know who?! You are here, you must have seen something! Tell me! Tell me, or I'll–"

"Tatsumi. Stop."

This time, Akame interrupted him. Once again, he had let his emotions take over. Akame was about to question the soldiers about their motives, but Tatsumi talked before her.

She didn't have to interrogate the soldiers about their allegiance or identity: they were wearing the colors of the Revolutionary Army on their armbands. It seemed the Kingdom had adopted the same banner: a black cross on a red-blood field.

Even so, many questions remained.

"Look at him, Tatsumi," Akame resumed. "It's clear as crystal he's not lying. He and his men are not responsible for what happened here."

Tatsumi made significant efforts to calm down.

"… I'll trust you, Akame. But still, what are they doing here? Why are they here? Soldiers never come this far north!"

"He got a point" Esdeath barged in. "So…explain yourselves, gentlemen. Otherwise, we'll treat you as enemies. I believe you do know who we are… and if you want the bounty on our heads, come and try."

Confronted to Akame, Esdeath and Tatsumi's glares, the captain began to sweat. It looked like he had a lot of things to say, but he didn't know where to begin.

Eventually, he ordered his men to lower their weapons.

"How to put it… I know who you are, yes. Everyone does. Akame of the Demon Sword Murasame. General Esdeath, the Strongest of the Empire. And Tatsumi, the one who brought an end to the previous era. I wish no harm to you…"

"It's not like you could harm us" laughed Esdeath.

"… but I need you to come with me. General Najenda wants to see you."

"Najenda?!" exclaimed Esdeath, Akame and Tatsumi in unison.

"She's here? And she knows we're here? How?" asked Esdeath. "And you did not answer Tatsumi's question? Why are full armored soldiers here?"

"Huuu, no offense intended ma'am, but it is not mine to explain. We will guide you to the camp, and General Najenda will tell you everything, so if you can..."

"Quiet for a second."

Esdeath jumped from the Manta and came to Akame and Tatsumi to consult them.

"I don't understand what's going on", admitted Akame. "But if we can get answers, let's follow them while being careful, of course."

"You're right" Esdeath approved. "Even if they wear the Kingdom's colors, we don't know if Najenda is really behind this. Maybe they told us that name to trick us. And with Ryuu and Nea on the Manta…"

"I'm not going anywhere before my people are buried" Tatsumi coldly said. "And after that, I'll find the culprits."

"Maybe it is linked to these soldiers' presence" suggested Akame, trying to temper Tatsumi. "We better follow them, just to gain intel."

(Tatsumi's about to argue again), Esdeath noticed.

She turned to the captain, who was waiting with an anxious expression.

"Fine. Show us the way. But…"

"But?"

"We have a condition. All of your men will stay here and properly bury the dead villagers. You alone, will lead us to Najenda."

Akame was surprised such a pacific solution came from Esdeath, but she nodded. Tatsumi too, after a moment of hesitation.

It was true he wanted to bury his people but seeing their dead faces once again would be difficult to stand… besides, he wanted to know what was going on.

On his side, the captain hesitated. His mission was to bring them back to the camp, but…

Suddenly, one of his men protested.

"I am not a gravedigger. I am a soldier. I did not join the army to bury countrymen!"

Unfortunately for him, Esdeath heard him and sent him a frozen glare.

"You joined the army to protect the people of this country, to fight for them and eventually die for them" she coldly said.

She pointed the piles of corpses slowly rotting on the place.

"Still, you didn't protect them. The least you can do now is to give them a proper grave."

Overwhelmed by her pressure, the soldier lowered the eyes. This decided the captain.

"Okay. Let's do it this way."

As soon as the soldiers began to dig and to retrieve the bodies, Esdeath, Akame, Tatsumi and the captain get back on the Manta, without telling him their girls were in the tent.

On the instructions of the man, they took the direction of the west.

After a dead silent ride, they crossed the path of several patrols, and eventually perceived a fortified encampment, established near a stream.

"How many, in your opinion?" Tatsumi asked Esdeath.

However, the captain answered before she could estimate the number.

"20 000. The entire army."

"Your army is only 20 000 men strong?"

Esdeath was quite surprised.

The captain nodded.

"Since the revolution, most of the men dropped the sword to return to peaceful lives, so the effectives of the army have significantly decreased…"

"Seems legit", Akame said.

She sent a glare to Tatsumi, who weakly nodded. He was still mourning his dead people in silence.

After all, they all fought for a peaceful era. It was only logical that they would not remain warriors forever. Even Akame, Esdeath and Tatsumi had built a family life, away from the fights…

"And why is the army gathered here? Something to do with the Northerners?" Esdeath asked. "We heard the relations with the Northern Tribes are… quite tensed."

"You hit the bull's eye, but General Najenda will explain everything to you."

"Umu. Well, where should I land?"

"Ermm… At the southern entrance, please. Go slowly, so they don't think we are enemies…"

"Roger that."

Despite Esdeath's precautions and will not to appear hostile, a strong group of soldiers surrounded the landing path of the Manta.

They only lowered their weapons when the captain jumped down and raised his arms.

"Don't shoot! Calm down! It's me!"

One of the soldiers, aghast, managed to speak:

"S-sir? What are you doing… there? Where are the others? Why…"

"Ahem, yes, I know this is kind of weird, but rest assured, it's alright. Send your men back."

"I… if you say so… You heard the man, nothing to see here!"

Hesitantly, the soldiers left the entrance by little groups, all excepted the guard who gave the order.

"Sorry about that'" the captain apologized to Tatsumi. "Do you have any luggage you want us to take care of? A tent has been prepared for you inside the camp."

"Now that you say it… Nea! Ryuu! You can come out!"

To the captain's surprise, the two daughters left the Manta's tent with big smiles.

"Papa! Mama! Are we arrived?! You didn't tell us anything, we were worried…" Ryuu said.

"You told us not to come out…so…" Nea added.

Akame smiled.

"And you obeyed. I'm proud of you". She noticed the man's incredulous gaze. "Ara? We didn't introduce them properly. These are our daughters, Ryuu and Nea."

"Nice to meet you, sir!" Ryuu happily said, bowing her head.

"N-nice to meet you…" Nea muttered.

"H-hello… M-me too…" the man managed to answer.

The guard at the gate, as aghast as his captain, recovered his mind.

"Perhaps…you want me to escort them to your tent, while you talk with General Najenda?"

Esdeath shook her head.

"No. I don't want my girls alone in a camp we don't know. They will come with us."

"B-but, I don't think it…"

"They are coming with us" Tatsumi firmly said.

He understood Esdeath's point. He didn't want his daughters to get lost, or worst, to attract attention.

"Fine. Then, I'll take your bags to your tent", the soldier gave up.

"Thanks. I'll guide them to the General's tent", the captain said.

And so, the unusual party composed of two former assassins, one former General, their daughters and a captain of the Kingdom's army began to walk through the encampment, watched by dumbfounded footmen.

The camp was vast, but methodically built. Lined rows of tents, latrines, fortifications; compact and easy to defend.

They reached the center, and at the same time, a large tent pavilion, obviously destined to the war council and the superior officers.

The captain cleared his throat and called:

"General Najenda! Your… friends have arrived!"

A voice they all recognized responded:

"Good. Come in."

Which they did.

The interior of the tent was purely functional: no fancy decoration at all, just a long table with maps and reports all over it. Several seats and chairs were disposed around.

At the end of the table, smoking a cigarette, was standing Najenda.

Despite being one-eyed, Najenda was still a beautiful woman emanating an aura of intelligence and power. She didn't change her haircut at all, keeping it short, and still had her eyepatch.

She was wearing a large coat put on a uniform of the Kingdom's army, and had a new mechanical arm, slightly bigger.

Najenda tried to act cool, but when she saw the trio's daughters, her jaw dropped off.

"…"

She stayed there, aghast, and an embarrassing silence took place.

The captain bowed his head to apologize.

"… I didn't have the occasion to warn you, General, but… several unexpected events occurred…"

Najenda regained composure.

"It's okay, Kaito. Thanks for your work. Dismissed" she said, waving two fingers to discharge him.

The captain, Kaito, saluted and walked out.

Right after, an awkward atmosphere invaded the tent. Nobody moved.

Nea and Ryuu whispered between them.

"What's going on?..." Nea murmured, troubled.

"I don't know…" Ryuu replied quietly. "But it's strange…"

Noticing no one was taking action and his daughers' distress, Tatsumi decided to break the silence.

"… long time no see, Najenda."

Najenda exhaled smoke and walked towards him.

"… indeed. Hello, Tatsumi. Hello, Akame. And… hello, Esdeath…"

She spat the last name reluctantly, but that was to be expected: last time Najenda saw Esdeath, they were enemies. Added to the fact that Esdeath killed numerous friends of her in the past, cut off her arm, burst her eye, the cold tone of Najenda was all but surprising…

However, Akame and Esdeath responded normally.

"Hello, Boss."

"Well hello, Najenda."

"Uuuh, where are my manners…" Tatsumi sighed. "Najenda, I'd like to introduce you our daughters: Nea and Ryuu."

He gently pushed forward the girls.

"Hello miss! I'm Ryuu, nice to meet you!"

"Hello, miss, I'm Nea. Pleased to make your acquaintance…"

"Me too."

Najenda grinned and closed her eye, touching her chin with her mechanical fingers.

"Fumu… it feels good to be called 'miss' even though I recently passed thirty…"

"I had forgotten you were that young" Tatsumi let out accidentally.

Najenda's glare petrified him.

"… want to die, brat?"

"…sorry."

The ice was now broken. Najenda took a new drag on her cigarette and invited the family to take a seat.

"So, where should I begin…" Najenda sighed. "There are tons of things I'd like to discuss with you, and I'm sure you have many questions too…"

"I'd like to apologize" Tatsumi said.

"Muu? Why?"

"…I didn't stay to help the Revolutionary Army to keep peace in the Empire. Instead, I built a new life with Akame and Esdeath, far away…"

Najenda raised a hand.

"No. We have to make choices, and I cannot blame you for this one. Nor can I blame Akame. Besides, you weren't precisely in a state where you could decide… If I recall Akame's letter which Ran delivered to me, she and Esdeath dragged you in quite a trip*."

Akame lowered her eyes.

"Yes…"

"But Tatsumi, do not mistake. You saved us. You beat the ultimate Teigu of the Emperor, preventing thousands of deaths. And more importantly, you managed by your mere existence to drive Esdeath away from the battlefield. That also saved thousands of lives, trust me."

Esdeath made a wry smile, recalling the past events. They all had changed, in many ways…

"As I said, I read Akame's letter, but… I still miss pieces. Tell me about your travels and after that… I'll answer to all of your questions. Deal?"

Tatsumi was impatient; curious to know what was going on –and eager to find the culprits who slaughtered his village– but nostalgy finally took over.

"Deal", he answered.

Akame frowned.

"Is it okay for the girls to hear… our story?"

Even after all this time, they never told their girls how they met, at least not in details, for a simple reason: it was not a story fit for children.

"Mama, I want to, I want to!" Ryuu protested.

"Me too…" Nea whispered.

Esdeath pondered then spoke:

"I think they have the right to know."

Tatsumi slowly nodded.

(Better now than never I guess…) he thought.

Akame gave up but looked at her daughters in the eyes:

"Even if what you hear disgusts you, scares you… Please, know that we will always, always love you."

Nea tilted her head.

"… what are you talking about, Mama? We know you love us."

"That's true! Papa and Mama keep saying that every day, there's no way we'd doubt it!" Ryuu joyfully said.

"Then it's decided. Please, go on" Najenda said.

Esdeath, Akame and Tatsumi began to tell Najenda, Nea and Ryuu the events that followed the battle in the Capital, six years ago.

"… and when we finally reached my village, we only found… ruins and dead" Tatsumi gloomily achieved.

They had been talking for a few hours. Fortunately, drinks and food had been previously disposed in the pavilion, allowing them to refresh and regain energy while discussing.

The sun was beginning to set and the tent was quite dark. Najenda silently stood up and began to light candles on the large table.

"Wow… all the things you went through… it was not an easy ride…" Najenda sighed, sitting back.

Esdeath, Akame and Tatsumi nodded in agreement. These memories were not good or bad, not black or white. There were good ones and bad ones and ended with them being together.

Ryuu and Nea, whom had listened religiously, were amazed. It was almost as if their parents were heroes from some legend…which they were in a certain extent, in fact. However, they looked quite tired.

"I'm a little bit jealous…" Najenda muttered. "A family… I'm still single… and to think I was seduces by hundreds of men when I was young…Now I'm old and unattractive…"

"Since when is thirty old?" Esdeath mocked.

"You can't understand me, Esdeath! You have a man you love and who loves you! You're even married!" Najenda spat, pointing at the marriage rings Akame and Esdeath were wearing.

Akame blushed and smiled apologetically, but Esdeath raised her hand so Najenda could see it clearly –in short, she was taunting her–.

Najenda grinded her teeth but eventually calmed down.

"Well, it's my turn now to explain myself."

She was about to say something when Ryuu yawned loudly. She looked dizzy, as Nea.

"The travel has been long, perhaps they should rest now?" Tatsumi said.

"I'll call Kaito to have them escorted to your tent" Najenda proposed. "There are beds there."

"I don't want my daughters to be alone in a camp" Esdeath opposed.

"You have my word, they have nothing to fear. They'll be guarded until we're finished here."

"Come on, Esdeath" Akame said. "You don't want them to sleep on mere chairs here, right?"

"… right. But if anything happens to them..."

Najenda made a wry smile and called for the captain.

However, when he came in, Nea and Ryuu were already asleep, forcing him and his men to carry them.

Najenda lit another cigarette before speaking.

"Now, onto the main topic. First…"

"How did you know we were coming?" Esdeath asked.

Najenda took off a small paper of her breast pocket and threw it to Esdeath, who read it aloud:

"The sleeping dragon is coming home."

She frowned.

"What is the meaning of that?"

She glanced at Najenda, suspecting a bad joke.

"The sleeping dragon is coming home…" repeated Akame. "Could it be… Tatsumi**?"

The concerned and Esdeath blinked, not understanding.

"Is that bad poetry, or…?"

"The sleeping dragon is you, Tatsumi", Akame said. "And this is…"

She turned to Najenda, who nodded.

"The fortune telling Teigu."

"Say again?" Esdeath didn't understand.

"The Revolutionary Army always possessed a fortune telling Teigu. It's an omikuji-box***, but it doesn't give fortunes, it gives –though poetically written– predictions."

Esdeath was dubious.

"You had that up your sleeve all this time?... How comes you did not win the war easily?"

Najenda shrugged.

"Several reasons to that. We did not decrypt all the predictions, and sometimes, even if we knew what was coming, we could do nothing against it. But the most important points… we can only use it once a week, and we do not choose the information we get. Sometimes, we learn a valuable thing and sometimes, we get something we already know."

"What do you mean, you already know?"

"Well, imagine we learn by our scouts that an enemy is coming. We have the information, right? But the Teigu did not inform us, so it considers we don't know. Thus, there is a chance an information we already have comes from the Teigu. It's quite the lottery."

Tatsumi snapped his fingers.

"Ahh, Boss, if I recall, you knew Stylish attacked our base that way, right?"

"Precisely. Though I didn't know who was attacking, I knew an attack was coming."

Akame pondered.

"So, you knew Tatsumi was coming home… which means, to his village. And with my letter, you knew we were… married."

Najenda grinned nastily.

"Yes. There were little chances that he would come back alone, so I informed my men to look for unusual facts. When my scouts reported the sight of a Manta that far north, I immediately guessed it was you", she said pointing Esdeath.

"Um. There are not many people who can tame Danger Beasts, after all", Esdeath nodded.

"You did know we were coming back… and my village… why did you not protect it?" Tatsumi asked.

His voice was calm but cold.

Najenda's tone was apologetic.

"We received the prediction yesterday. Because of our situation, we chose not to defend every village here… when I sent a small patrol yesterday, they found the same thing as you. But because of the dangers, they did not stay to bury the dead. For that, I'm sorry. And I'm sorry for your losses."

Tatsumi clenched his fist.

"You chose…not to defend the villages. The people of this land. You chose to do this?!"

He was nearly shouting.

"When I joined Night Raid, you assured me the government would protect the weak! I joined you to change this country and to save my village, and you didn't even protect it?!"

Faced with Tatsumi's grief, Najenda did not weaken.

"I sacrificed hundreds of people to save tens of thousands, and I would do it again. I'm sorry, but I had to make a choice: some villages or the entire country" she replied with a firm yet sorry tone.

The answer took them aback.

"What… are you talking about?" Tatsumi muttered.

Najenda's expression darkened.

"These are not the villages that are attacked… this is the country. The Kingdom is currently at war with the Northern Tribes, led by their hero, Numa Seika…or someone pretending to be him."

Notes

*: If you did not, go re-read Strange Alliance to clearly remember their...trip.
**: Tatsumi literally means "Sleeping Dragon". Ok, this fanfic is in english but poetry is always cool, right?!
***: Google omikuji. It's the fortunes you draw from boxes in japanese shrines. Besides, the Teigu has been mentioned in the manga, so I thought it would be cool to give it a 'form'.