Episode 13: Ki͠l̷̨l̡ F̶̧o̶̧r ̷M̸e


"Controlling eight at once is sure to make her sluggish," Akame said, gritting her teeth and steeling herself. She tightened her grip on Murasame and ran forward, eyes blazing. "I won't waste this chance!"

Kurome watched as her older sister dashed forward, quickly reaching the Destaghoul's body and leaping from its knee to the shoulder where she waited. Kurome smiled weakly and readied the Yatsufusa, fighting back the exhaustion her own Teigu was exerting upon her.

"Still so fast," she thought fondly, clashing blades with Akame for the first time in years. "Ahh, that's right...the first time we fought was back then…"

"Kurome!" Akame screamed, swinging wildly at her sister and firmly placing the younger girl on the defense. Sparks danced between them as Akame delivered a powerful overhead slash, retreating for a brief moment before kicking off the Destaghoul's shoulder to descend upon Kurome once more.

"Back when you betrayed us," Kurome narrowed her eyes, mentally reaching out to her favorite puppet.

"Natala!" Akame mumbled in surprise, effortlessly blown back by the blonde puppet's overwhelming parry. Kurome's protector stared emotionlessly at his prey as he unleashed a series of lightning-fast attacks, swinging his spear at her with no effort whatsoever. Murasame shook violently in her hand as Akame was pushed away, filled with pity at the sight of Kurome's oldest of friends.

Perverted, disturbed. Drawn away from his eternal rest. Akame grit her teeth, anger rising in her gut as her little sister continued to mock her with that same old smile.

"Return him to the ground! Was he not your closest friend?!"

"What do you mean?" Kurome laughed derisively, clashing once more with Akame before speeding right past her.

"That's why I always want him near," Kurome replied. "He can remain by my side, this way. And that's why I want to be the one to kill you, onee-chan!"

Akame's eyes widened with horror.

"I'll add you to my collection as well. This way, we can be together forever!"

"Don't be a fool!" Akame cried, her anger replaced with unbearable grief as Natala leapt between the two sisters and knocked her over the edge.

"Magma Drive!"

Her eyes widened with horror as Bols launched a fireball from his Teigu, a shot that was aimed perfectly for where she would fall!

"The reports didn't mention anything about a long-range attack! If that hits me, I'll be-!"

A series of wires suddenly bound themselves to her leg and Akame was quickly pulled out of the line of fire, watching with surprise as the fireball soared harmlessly above her. Akame continued her sudden descent and slammed right into her savior's chest, causing him to skid for quite a while before they came to rest at Najenda's feet.

"Lubba!" Akame cried, immediately leaping off of the poor boy's body and offering a hand. The boy opened a single eye and flashed that usual, cocky smile as he brushed her hand away.

"Don't even mention it," he laughed, dusting himself off and puffing his chest out. Akame suppressed a giggle as his eyes quickly flashed over to their boss, searching for any sign of approval.

"Good work," Najenda nodded, still entirely focused on Bols, his guardian with the riot shield, and the undead Danger Beast behind them. Lubbock pumped his fist when she wasn't looking, his eyes sparkling with glee.

"Wait," Akame said, "weren't you supposed to be going behind the enemy lines and picking them off with Chelsea's help?"

"Well, that was the plan…" Lubbock rubbed his neck cheekily, "but then Tatsumi showed up out of nowhere and Leone ended up running away, so I figured I'd come out of hiding and save the beautiful women who were in so much trouble!"

"Thanks," Najenda grunted. Akame merely nodded in appreciation, and both women were oblivious to their savior's dramatic tears.

"They're not grateful at all!" he wailed internally.

"Najenda," Susanoo called, "I will now draw the Destaghoul away. Do not hesitate! I will hear your call, should you need my assistance."

"Go, Susanoo!"

The Teigu nodded one final time and leapt into the air, driving his unique weapon into the skeleton's chest and falling quickly to the ground. He ran between the legs and looked over his shoulder, satisfied with its angry cry as the Danger Beast pursued him.

Carefully placed high above the canyon below, Kurome found a boulder upon which she could rest her weary body. Natala stood at her side, resolute as always, and Doya stepped into view as well. Her hidden puppet waited in the trees behind her, every bit as alert as the man and woman at her side.

"Looks like I'll be safe here," Kurome mumbled, withdrawing her bag of sweets.

Unbeknownst to her, a very skilled marksman was closing in. As Mine crouched low and readied her Pumpkin, she kindled the fire within her soul and poured her anger and frustration into the weapon.

"This time," she thought, "I definitely won't miss!"


"How's that?" Leone laughed, sending another vicious roundhouse kick into Tatsumi's crossed arms. Once again the boy was sent flying back, astonished at his friend's newfound strength.

"Was she always this strong?" he wondered, grinding to a halt as dirt reached for the sky around him and his armor continued to creak under the tremendous pressure of her blows. "Incursio's kept me safe for this long, but she doesn't look tired at all. One of us is going to give, sooner or later."

"Huh?" Leone blinked, cocking her head to one side. "Still not going to throw a punch? That was one hell of a speech you gave, but you're still hesitating?"

"I can't just go and punch a girl who tried to kiss me," he teased, legitimately surprised as Leone blushed and stared at the ground. Little wisps of smoke rose above her head and Tatsumi sweatdropped, hands at his own head in pure disbelief.

"How can you switch gears like that so quickly?!"

"It's your fault!" She yelled, one cute fang hanging beneath her upper lip as she accused him and wagged an angry fist in his direction. "Stop making this so complicated and fight back!"

Tatsumi clenched his fists, the Tyrant's call growing quieter and quieter as something far more sinister reached out. But he wouldn't give in, even if it meant staying on the defensive. He would not hurt Leone, not after what she'd just proven to him.

"All this time I was suspicious," he reminisced, "but I guess it was all real. She wasn't just teasing me, she really does-"

His train of thought crashed when Leone suddenly dashed forward again, driving another furry fist into him. It was all Tatsumi could do to cross his arms and slide back completely unharmed, her frustration only mounting as Leone continued to watch him hesitate.

"This is hurting everyone," she growled, "and there's no getting around it. Why won't you just let go of this?!"

She slammed one fist against her heart and stared at him with eyes of glorious gold, her animal instincts speaking for her. "It's never easy to fight the ones you love, but as long as we're fighting for what we believe in, then how can either of us be wrong? You're only making this harder by not giving it your all!"

"I said I would take you alive!" Tatsumi yelled back, his own fury barely contained by the armor around him.

"And I'd rather be killed by who I love than to be mocked by him!"

Tatsumi was caught off-guard yet again as she sprinted towards him, driving her fist into his armored chin with a terrible uppercut. For all his protection, Tatsumi was still sent flying into the air; she then ran along the canyon wall to her left, kicking off and tackling him all the way across the gap and over to the precipice beyond. Both of them rolled across the ground and quickly regained their bearings, staring each other down as the others battled far below.

"You are the reason I am who I am," Tatsumi choked out, unable to even keep his eyes open at this point. "You're the reason all of this is happening!"

"Yeah, that's right," Leone growled, her heart beating like never before. "And I don't regret any of it, because I'm experiencing something new as well."

Tatsumi opened his eyes, stunned into silence as his closest friend reached for her heart.

"We accept the consequences," she said quietly, staring at her feet. "We accept the consequences of what we're doing, whether that means betrayal, injury, or death. It's all for the sake of doing what we believe in, so it's all worth it."

She angrily wiped away the first tear to fall and glared viciously at the boy, readying herself once again for combat. "It's not because I don't trust you that I'm fighting, or even because I want to bring you back. It's because I'm following my heart and I know you're doing the same! That's why I can fight without holding back, even if it means dying!"

"Leone…" Tatsumi lowered his head, waiting patiently for her inevitable attack.

She ran forward, fist raised and crying out in anger as the distance between them was closed in another, single instant. She nearly retched when his armored fist met her halfway, driven right into her solar plexus and knocking her out almost instantly.

Tatsumi caught her before she fell and held the beautiful lion in his arms, his thoughts consumed by the memories and feelings they had shared.

"I don't think I'm ready to call it love," he mumbled, watching as her eyes fluttered and her consciousness waned. "Even so, it was something. There was something I was waiting to experience, too, and I wish it wasn't too late."

He laid her gently to the ground and dismissed the armor around him, looking far over to where Kurome was sitting. He gazed just one more time down at Leone, trying desperately to let go of the fire she had shoved into his soul.

"Maybe when all of this is over, you'll be able to give me a real kiss. Hell," he laughed bitterly, "maybe I'll even be able to give you one of my own."

He placed one hand on her forehead, comforted by the continuous rise and fall of her chest as the fierce assassin dreamed of things he could not see. Then he stood, let out one final sigh, and moved quickly over to meet his comrade.

"Goodbye, Leone."


"How tenacious," Najenda growled, driven back by an old friend as Akame and Lubbock were left alone to contest with Bols and a handful of other dead puppets. "Even so, I know all of your moves, Rokugoh!"

Her pale amethyst paled against the man's own purple eyes, eyes that no longer held the life she had once been so fond of. His whiplike weapon ripped through the air and reached out for her flesh, bouncing harmlessly away from Najenda's iron hand. It was all thanks to her own impressive reflexes, and one former general smiled at the other.

"I'll be the one to put you to rest!"

Flames danced around Akame and Lubbock as their masked opponent calmly stared them down, protected by a steadfast riot shield, another masked enemy, and an ape that was surely a First-Class Danger Beast or higher.

"We need to divide them," Akame suggested, her blade clicking as she tightened her grip. "I'll handle Bols and the one guarding him, but you need to pull the monkey and the tribalman away. Can you do that?"

"Why do I have to deal with the hard ones?" Lubbock whined.

"You don't have to defeat them alone," Akame replied. "Just keep them away from me while I handle Bols. Once he's taken care of, we'll deal with the puppets together. All I need is one cut; after that, we can bring down the others."

"Fine, fine," Lubbock grumbled, casting his threads out and calmly moving forward as they glistened and trailed behind him. "If you change your mind, just give me a call."

Akame smiled a little and ran forward, quickly running in a circle around Bols and his guardian. The Jaeger lowered his Rubicante in surprise, unable to track her movements. Even his undead companion remained motionless, and neither of them were able to interfere as Lubbock sent his threads ripping through the air and slicing the ape-man into miniscule pieces. When it didn't get back up, Lubbock couldn't stop an exaggerated bead of sweat from running down the side of his head.

"Th-that's it?" he cried. "Seriously?"

The masked tribal, Henter, made to advance on the green-haired assassin before a half-naked man stepped from the trees at his right, staring directly at him. The mystery man wore a mask of his own, and Henter fell to his knees as grief reached out to his cold and otherwise lifeless body.

"A-ally," Henter moaned sadly. Lubbock watched in surprise as the other tribalman reached out for Henter, wrapping him in a warm embrace before driving a sharp needle directly into his forehead.

"It looks like Akame was right," Chelsea said, pulling away to stare at her target as her disguise vanished in a cloud of smoke. "The corpses summoned by Yatsufusa may not have a will of their own, but strong memories and emotions really do remain."

She hugged the dead man once more, restricting his body as her fatal blow worked its magic and his body convulsed for a moment before falling still. Chelsea then laid the man against the ground, giving him one last look of pity before giving Lubbock a wink and a thumbs-up.

"That's another one down!" She chirped, waving and running away. "Good luck!"

"Oi!" Lubbock cried out. He reached out to her with one hand as she disappeared back into the trees, oblivious as to how she planned to help out while hiding in there the whole time.

"Earth Shaker?!" Najenda yelled, her voice echoing far enough to reach out to her young admirer. "That move won't work on me anymore, Roku!" She leapt into the air and fired her mechanical fist into the wall at her left, building up more than enough momentum to dodge the whip that erupted beneath her.

"We trained together!" Najenda cried, taking aim at him once again. "That's why I know your moves, that's why I'm the one who can defeat you!" She launched the fist and scoffed as the corpse of her friend casually sidestepped, moving forward to attack her once again.

"Reel Assault!"

Familiarity assaulted Rokugoh's mind and his eyes actually widened, helpless to react as Najenda reeled herself in and delivered a swift kick to the side of his head. He was immediately decapitated and fell to the ground, motionless as Najenda looked back on the fondest memory she had of him.

"Let's go for a drink, Naje!" he said with a smile. "I'm not letting you run away this time!"

"Fine, fine," she'd sighed, matching that smile with one of her own. "But you'll be the one paying for it!"

"Deal," he laughed, wrapping an arm firmly around her shoulders and leading her away from the palace. His constant flirting had definitely works its charms, and for once, she actually found herself letting go. He was very good-looking, after all…

Warmth was replaced with cold shock as the decapitated Rokugoh rose again to his feet, completely unaffected by her attack. Blood poured from his open neck and soaked through the man's tunic, his steps eventually bringing him to stand before her once more. Undaunted, emotionless, unfeeling and seemingly unstoppable. Grief quickly turned into fury and Najenda couldn't stop herself from screaming.

"Just...just how grossly does this Teigu desecrate people?! What kind of shameless wretch would use such a weapon?!"

She screamed and roared and cast away her memories, throwing Rokugoh's body into the air with one kick before jumping up to meet him. Her eyes remained hidden beneath silver hair as one more memory bubbled to the surface, slipping past her emotional barriers.

"You know," Rokugoh whispered, leaning across the table between them, "we really should go out on dates more often!"

Najenda had spit out her drink and stained his shirt, just as surprised by his words as she was by how casually he had laughed it off. They'd never dared to go beyond a close friendship, but the temptation had always been there...on both sides.

"AHHH!" Najenda screamed, unable to look at him as she drove her metal fist into his chest. The sound of his body breaking apart was more than enough to scar her; she didn't need to have the sight of it carved into her mind as well. Her metal hand latched onto the side of the canyon and she slowly lowered herself down, turning her head away as the pieces of Rokugoh's body came tumbling to the ground.

"Hold on, Susanoo," she grumbled, wiping her eyes and staring defiantly at the massive skeleton ahead. "I'm coming!"


"I hope Wave is okay," Kurome thought to herself, munching idly on another cookie as the blue-haired Jaeger once again came to mind. "He's pretty stubborn, so there's no way he would die, but…"

Kurome brought her hands together and gazed skyward, surprised by her own feelings. The images in her mind quickly shifted from him protecting her to the more subtle things she had seen. His smile flashed again and again, the way he acted whenever she teased him, the sound of his laughter and his own frustrated groans as he failed time and again to impress her. He really was a lot like Tatsumi, but there were certain differences between them that allowed them to be charming in their own ways. Tatsumi had certainly been a good friend to her thus far, but Wave…

Kurome closed her eyes. "Wave is different…"

"Kurome!"

She blinked and turned her head, instantly smiling as Tatsumi came into view. He dismissed the Incursio's armored form and doubled over, hands on his knees as he turned every drop of water in his body to sweat. She shook her head and couldn't hold in her laughter, motioning for Natala to help him. The blonde puppet obeyed immediately, moving quickly to Tatsumi's side and picking him up bridal-style.

Which, of course, did not sit well with him at all.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Tatsumi wailed, shaking his head over and over again as Natala wordlessly ran over and dumped him at Kurome's side.

"Stop whining," she chided, clonking him over the head with her sheathed sword.

"That huuuuuuurts!" Tatsumi cried, rubbing his head and spilling dramatic tears. Another image of Wave immediately popped into her head.

"They really are similar," she thought, scratching her nose.

"Uhh," Tatsumi blinked, staring up at her. "What's with the blush?"

Kurome's hands quickly flew up to her face and she looked away. "N-nothing! I'm not blushing, you're just seeing things. Shouldn't you be down there fighting instead of bothering me?"

Tatsumi grinned. "So you were blushing!"

"No, I was not!" Kurome hissed.

"Thinking about Wave?"

"Natala, KILL!" she cried, whirling on Tatsumi with her face on fire.

"H-hey!" he cried, comically running in circles as Natala playfully chased him with his spear. "I'm sorry, okay?! I take it back, I take it back!"

"Natala, that's enough," Kurome grumbled, satisfied with Tatsumi's own humiliation as she looked away from him. Natala and Doya looked at one another, perplexed.

"You're demoted!" the boy cried out indignantly, pointing an angry finger at her. Kurome just scoffed and fluffed her hair.

"Big deal."

"Aaargh!" Tatsumi cried, tearing at his own hair as he was faced with his own lack of control over her. His cries immediately tapered off as a loud shot rang through the air, and he caught a blinding beam of energy in his peripheral vision. Kurome turned her head slightly, shock slowly working its way onto her features as the beam grew closer and closer…

"I can't-!"

Blinding light filled her eyes and Kurome brought one hand up to cover them, just as surprised at her survival as she was by Tatsumi's own reaction time. He stood quietly between her and her assailant as the latter stepped from the shadows, a girl cloaked in pink and sporting a rifle of unparalleled range and power.

"Mine," Kurome growled, still wincing as the light faded. "Tatsumi, how did you-?"

She blinked, then, as her eyes finally settled on his outstretched arm. In his left hand he held a sheathed katana of his own, his body completely relaxed as the last remnants of Mine's blast faded around him.

"Sorry," he said quietly, entirely focused on the girl ahead as he bent his arm and brought his right hand over to grip the blade's hilt. "But I can't let you kill her, Mine."

"That was pretty cool," the girl conceded, swinging her Pumpkin up to aim at him. She felt only a twinge of regret as she pulled her trigger finger back, slowly moving to look through the gun's scope. "You won't survive my second shot, though. Step aside and let me do my job."

"You're not hearing me," Tatsumi smiled, showing more teeth than usual as he happily surrendered to impulse. Little by little the blade was released from its prison, and both girls were overwhelmed as the air around them grew perfectly still. Even the wind and the trees around them seemed to die, so silent had it grown.

"I said I won't let you kill her."

In a flash he had already moved past her, and the warmth of her Pumpkin disappeared as the Teigu shattered in her very hands.

"Wha-?"

Tatsumi spun on his heel and drove the pommel into the back of her neck, knocking yet another Night Raid assassin unconscious as the battle raged ever on. Kurome blinked away her surprise and refused to show her own admiration, crossing her arms with a huff.

"So it only takes one swing to destroy a Teigu that strong?" Tatsumi scoffed as he turned around. Kurome waved one hand and refused to look at him, hiding her smile.

"Not bad," she conceded, "but I could have handled her. The eighth behind me would've eaten Pinkie over there before she could've let off a second shot."

A massive frog stumbled into view as Tatsumi sweatdropped, and he sheathed the Muramasa once more. "That's a load of crap and you know it! I just went and saved you twice, and you won't even thank me properly?!"

"Shut up!"


"Magatama Manifestation!" Susanoo declared. He brought all of his fingers together and closed his eyes, focusing on the massive influx of energy that stirred within his core. Not far from where he stood, his new owner was abandoning her own life force for the sake of a tremendous boost in his power. The Destaghoul had proven to be too great of an opponent, even for him; thus, their final resort was the only option that remained. His hair, once blue, turned to a brilliant white as a massive ornate symbol manifested behind his body. Golden light consumed the round core in his chest and his body became coated in a new layer of armor, his robe tearing itself apart and turning black as it rose up all around him.

Destaghoul quietly opened its jaw and once again charged its signature attack, a great orb of blue energy that built up within its mouth before being unleashed as an overwhelming beam of destruction. That very attack had proved to be quite stressful, in addition to the odd protrusion near the left side of its clavicle. Both had proved to be worthy distractions before, but with this new power boost, Susanoo's confidence quickly skyrocketed.

The beam charged-up quicker than ever before and was unleashed upon him, but Susanoo calmly raised his left and spoke, "Mirror of Yata." Another massive circle, larger and yet equally adorned as the one behind him, appeared before Susanoo and devoured the beam in the blink of an eye. The Destaghoul could only watch in silence as its own attack was returned tenfold, a multitude of sapphire beams that slammed into its form in multiple areas and nearly shattered its body completely. The skeletal head sluggishly followed Susanoo as he leapt into the air, the golden orb of life in his left hand suddenly transforming into a glorious gleaming sword of impossible length and power.

"Gathering Clouds of Heaven!"

The mystical weapon ripped cleanly through the weakened Destaghoul and cleaved it in-twain, its boney form crumbling to dust at Susanoo's feet. Najenda shakily moved to his side and he ran over to catch her, concerned by her plummeting strength.

"Najenda," he began, quickly falling silent as she raised her hand. She smiled up at him and, though he may have lacked a heart, Susanoo still felt worried.

"I'll be fine, really. This is my first use of the trump card, so it should pass before too much longer. Let's hurry back to the others and finish Bols. Kurome and Tatsumi can come after."

"Understood," Susanoo complied, gathering his master into his arms and sprinting over to join Akame and Lubbock. The two young assassins jumped frantically within the battlefield ahead, narrowly dodging bursts of flame and cursing as the corpse with the riot shield blocked their every attack.

"Damn it!" Lubbock whined, scratching his head as the puppet once again returned to the Jaeger's side. "That guy is just all over us right now! Got any ideas?" He turned his head to Akame as she continued to scan their foes, searching for vulnerabilities they could exploit.

"Everything depends on the one protecting Bols," she replied, eyes still flicking from one enemy to the other. "If we can keep the one called 'Wall' at bay, then attacking Bols won't be nearly as hard. Think you can do this?"

"Leave it to me!" Lubbock said cheerfully, enjoying her smile as they dashed forward once again.

"I've already told you, it's pointless!" Bols cried, unleashing another burst of flame from his Rubicante. "Surrender peacefully and your lives will be spared!"

Akame and Lubbock jumped into the air together, staring defiantly at the Jaeger below. "You know we cannot do that, and we won't ask it of you, either!" Akame cried. Lubbock wrapped his threads carefully around her leg and swung her through the air, aiming straight for Bols. Her blade cut through the air faster than before, and she severed Wall's legs as Lubbock descended beside her.

"Then I will end your suffering here and now!" Bols yelled out in response. His eyes went wide, however, as Lubbock's threads reached out for him and chopped the Rubicante's extension tool into pieces. Now powerless and without his guardian, Bols set the Rubicante down and waited for the next attack. He could only watch helplessly as the two assassins were joined by their leader and her biological Teigu, now sporting a transformation that had obviously increased its power.

"This is my retribution, then?" Bols murmured, sorrow and frustration rising to the surface as they all regarded him with pitiful eyes.

"It seems that way," Najenda replied coolly, pulling another cigar from her pocket and lighting it. She took a long drag and relished the sensation, puffing out a cloud of smoke as she stared him down. "We have orders to kill you, but Tatsumi was generous enough to insist that you use nonlethal methods if possible. It is only because of Tatsumi that I'm even considering this option."

Bols watched quietly as the woman took a second drag from her cigar, exhaled a second cloud of smoke, and reached out to him with her metal hand. "Surrender peacefully," she offered, "and we can guarantee your survival. You will be taken into immediate custody and delivered into the hands of the Revolutionary Army. You will be interrogated and imprisoned, but if you cooperate, there may be a chance for you to be granted a reduced sentence. Hell," she chuckled, "you may even get a pardon if you're nice enough."

"I thank you for that gracious offer," Bols growled, reaching for the giant tank at his side, "but I'm afraid I cannot accept it."

"Then how will you fight?" Najenda blinked, truly surprised as the man lifted the Rubicante and raised it above his head. "This battle is now four-to-one and your two allies are nowhere to be found. Are you going to throw that at us and make your escape?"

"That's a fairly accurate guess," Bols yelled, looking skyward. Najenda's eyes went wide as she realized too late what he was intending to do, and Susanoo leapt in front of his friends as he prepared for the other man's suicide attack.

"What are you doing?!"

A shadowy figure suddenly crash-landed in front of Bols, sending out a cloud of dust that washed over them all. The masked man dropped the metal tank in surprise, that very mask affording him the sight that had abandoned his enemies. An armored figure had finally chosen to enter the fray.

"I already told you that you have a family waiting for you, so why would you go and use your last resort?"

"Tatsumi!" Bols cried, practically radiating affection and covered in glowing flowers as the boy looked at him and sweatdropped.

"Tatsumi?" Akame coughed, rubbing her eyes as the dust finally settled. "Tatsumi! Then, that means Leone-?"

"She's fine," he replied coldly, looking over to her as the Incursio vanished and returned to its blade form once again. "I knocked her and Mine unconscious, and I was forced to destroy Pumpkin as well."

"Tch," Najenda bit her lip, dropping her cigar and grinding it into the dirt with her foot. "That was probably our most valuable Teigu. I'll be docking that from your pay, Tatsumi!"

He laughed, more out of surprise than anything at her sudden attempt at humor. "To be fair, you guys never paid me. Missed opportunity, huh?"

"No kidding," Lubbock chuckled, wincing as Akame elbowed him in the ribs. "Hey!"

"I imagine Kurome must be recovering, then," Akame said bitterly, pointing to Tatsumi with her blade. He merely shrugged in response, clenching and unclenching his left hand. Susanoo's eyes narrowed at the motion, a sudden pang of familiarity coursing through his mind.

"I didn't notice much of a change in her, though she definitely noticed you guys wrecking her puppets. I'm kind of glad, actually," he admitted. "I don't think it's right for her to be using that Teigu, or anyone for that matter. It's cruel."

"At least you haven't lost your sense of reason," she bit back, still fully prepared to cut him down at a moment's notice. Tatsumi just smiled and shrugged a second time, causing her irritation to spike.

"And I never will. That's the one thing I have going for me, at least. Well, maybe not the only thing." He looked back to Bols and nodded, his smile gone for good this time. "Kurome has already gone ahead. Regroup with her and keep moving for Kyoroch, Wave will catch up to you soon."

He turned back to stare at his other friends, eyes narrowed. "I'll cover your escape."

"Wave?" Bols blinked. "He's nearby?"

"I felt his presence through Incursio," Tatsumi revealed. "He's recovered from Susanoo's attack and has been running back to us ever since. He should reach Kurome in a few minutes, and if you hurry, you can meet him there."

"You can't handle them on your own!" Bols cried, desperately trying to reason with the boy. "If you let me use the trump card, I-!"

Tatsumi cast his left arm out to the side and summoned his second Teigu, glancing over to Susanoo as the biological Teigu's eyes widened in recognition. "That was an order, Bols. I'll be fine, but if you stay here, then I won't be able to fight with everything I have. I'm an officer for a reason, so meet with the others and continue on as I've ordered you to. I promise I will catch up."

Bols sighed and shook his head, glancing one final time at his newest friend before turning away from him. "Survive, Tatsumi. We'll be waiting for you."

"You won't be waiting long," Tatsumi chuckled, feeling relieved as the man finally started to run through the canyon and searched for a way to reach the precipice above.

"I was always proud of your confidence," Najenda smiled sadly, "but even you have to admit that this is a bit much. You took Mine and Leone out of the picture, but you still have to deal with the four of us. If Kurome and her puppets are really gone as you claimed, then you are completely alone."

"Najenda," Susanoo interjected, taking one step forward, "I will be the one to fight Tatsumi. If that Teigu is what I believe it to be, then only I can stand against him."

"What are you talking about?" Najenda blanched, eyes wide as her own Teigu continued to move towards Tatsumi. "This will be much faster if we just-"

"You do not understand!" Susanoo roared. A wave of fear instantly washed over his friends and all of them took a step back, even Najenda. "That weapon is not to be trifled with, and if it bears the name that I remember, then all of you must leave! Now!"

"You know its name?" Tatsumi smiled, reaching for the hilt once more as his eyes flashed and a streak of white coursed through his hair. "Speak it to me, then. Say it loud for all to hear."

"It has already progressed that far?" Susanoo thought, glaring furiously at the boy as he tensed up and prepared to summon the Murakumo. "I will not dignify your request with the response you expect from me. I will end your life here before that wretched thing can fully awaken, and put my master's legacy to rest once and for all!"

"Susanoo," Najenda ran forward, placing a hand firmly on his shoulder. "Calm down, and explain to me what you mean by 'master's legacy.'"

"That blade," Susanoo hissed, fists clenching as the earth beneath him quaked and the air around them grew heavy with rage, "once belonged to my former master, General Naoki. The man who came before you, the man who shared your appearance!"

Najenda blinked, and even in a situation like this, Lubbock couldn't contain his laughter. Quickly reaching back to him, she slapped the back of his head and scowled at the whimpering assassin.

"Shut up about that, already!" she yelled, heaving out a sigh and returning her attention to Susanoo. "Anyway, I need you to elaborate further. Why exactly is that blade such a threat?"

Tatsumi slowly pulled the blade from its prison, deeply enjoying Susanoo's expression as the steel flashed and the gentle sound of its freedom echoed throughout the canyon.

"The 47th Teigu," Susanoo declared, quickly summoning the Murakumo in his left hand and swinging at Tatsumi. The blade's blinding light quickly collided with the air around him as Tatsumi raised the empty sheath, and that very light just barely illuminated the translucent orb around his body. The Murakumo bounced away from the barrier and shattered.

"The 47th Teigu," Susanoo repeated with a great bellow, "Muramasa and Masamune!"

"You remember," Tatsumi laughed, his hair whitening little by little as specks of crimson danced within his sea-green eyes. "You remember the name!"

He didn't fully understand them, the words that continued to pour from his mouth. They felt like his own, and yet, he knew that something else was giving birth to them. None of it mattered though, and his smile widened as the thrill of battle consumed his soul and the taste of blood danced on his tongue.

"It feels good!" He screamed within his mind, dashing forward to bring his blade swinging down upon Susanoo. The biological Teigu raised both hands and just barely caught the blade in time, wincing as its serrated edge began to escape his grip. He raised one leg and kicked Tatsumi away, hand ready to summon the Murakumo again as the boy regained his bearings.

"The Muramasa and its prison, Masamune," Susanoo continued. "Commonly referred to as the Two-In-One and The Balance, it was only through use of that blade that my former master was able to end the Great Civil War. He slaughtered thousands with that evil weapon," he growled, "and that very evil caused him to lose his sense of self and by proxy, his own control over me. The last thing I remember before going dormant upon the battlefield was my master's hysterical laughter. I could only watch as his hair turned to snow and his eyes were filled with the blood at his own feet, so consumed was he by that cursed weapon!"

"You just couldn't stack up," Tatsumi chuckled, the whispers disappearing entirely as they instead spilled forth from his own mouth. "In the end, you weren't the one Naoki preferred. You had morals, you had restraints and you were overcome by doubt. In the end, you were simply too human."

"MURAKUMO!" Susanoo screamed, summoning the divine blade in both of his hands and leaping into the air.

"Tch!" Tatsumi spat, jumping to the side as Susanoo's glorious blades crashed into the ground and devastated the earth. "So you even remembered Masamune's limits!"

"The barrier is strongest when Muramasa is free," Susanoo replied, staring hatefully at the boy whose changing hair continued to offend him. "Without constantly having to focus on restraining the bloodthirsty sword within, Masamune's full potential is unleashed. But I have watched Naoki over the course of many years, and know full well the limitations of that barrier!"

Tatsumi threw the scabbard away and mocked Susanoo with another smile, lowering the katana to his left side and waiting patiently for the next attack.

"I will silence you once and for all, Muramasa!" Susanoo roared, once again opting to dual-wield his greatest weapon. The two blades descended upon Tatsumi and obscured him as another explosion of dust filled the canyon. The remaining members of Night Raid coughed violently and covered their eyes to the best of their ability, with Najenda reaching out for Susanoo with a weak hand.

"Did you end it?" she cried out, her hand finally resting upon his shoulder. "Is it over?"

"It's over," Tatsumi replied.

Najenda's eyes nearly burst out of her head as the dust finally cleared, and Tatsumi shoved his hand deeper into Susanoo's back.

"Tats-..."

The boy's hand exploded out of the biological Teigu's chest, and he smiled as his fingers tightened around the freed core in his hand.

"This is where we part ways, Susanoo," he whispered into the Teigu's ear. "But don't worry, I'll make sure you can live on...in the stomach of another Teigu!"

Tatsumi quickly pulled his hand back and ripped through Susanoo's body, retrieving the crimson core as the blue-haired servant collapsed at his feet and remained motionless.

"SUSANOO!" the assassins screamed as one, overwhelmed by grief as Tatsumi casually looked them over.

"You'll see him again, I can promise that much," he chuckled. He dangled the core in front of Najenda's face, deeply enjoying the woman's expression as she jumped from one emotion to the other. Disbelief, sadness, regret, and anger...oh, the beautiful, twisted anger.

"You bastard!" she screamed, swinging at him with one armored hand.

And he cut her down with one quick slash, blood dancing in the air as Night Raid's leader also collapsed at his feet.

"Too slow," Tatsumi sighed, turning his back on them all and walking away. "Come back when you've attained some real strength."

"TATSUMI!" Akame yelled, rushing for him with the intent to kill. Tatsumi quickly pocketed Susanoo's core and moved his right hand back, casually blocking her strike without even looking back.

"Say it," he murmured, his blade grinding against her own as grief filled her soul. "Say what you always say. Speak it to me, Akame, that we might part ways once and for all."

And she cried. For the first time since Sheele's death, Akame let the tears fall and grit her teeth.

"Eliminate," she choked out.

"Atta girl," Tatsumi sighed. He spun around as their blades separated, and moved to stab her heart…

"NO!"

Tatsumi blinked, instead swinging the blade up against Murasame's pommel and knocking it out of the assassin's grip. The cursed sword spun in the air before embedding itself in the ground some distance away, and Tatsumi blinked again. He blinked once more and raised the Muramasa, raised it high enough to stare at the serrated edge and stared long enough to remember who he was.

"This isn't me, I…"

Tatsumi shuddered, eyes narrowing and face twisting into a vicious scowl as hatred coursed through his entire body. It consumed his mind and his soul, it reawakened his heart and filled him with disgust as he realized what he had done.

"I am not you!"

Tatsumi dived for the Masamune and quickly sheathed its companion, breathing heavily as the dark miasma around him dissipated and his hair returned to its normal, chestnut color. There was a bitter taste in his mouth and an overwhelming regret weighing him down as he glanced at his old comrades. They looked to him with mixed expressions of fear and anger, helping Najenda to her feet as she gasped for air and reached for her chest.

The wound was shallow, he had felt it. Even so, he had attacked her. He had attacked his compassionate leader and destroyed her Teigu, a being far more human than most humans he'd met.

But she wasn't his leader, not anymore. He was a Jaeger, and they were Night Raid. He was a lieutenant of the Imperial Army, a confidant of General Esdeath herself, and they were assassins. This was the path he had chosen, and he would walk it. Tatsumi then looked at the sheathed sword in his hands, watching in disgust as it vanished in the usual flash of light and waited for his next call

"I know I'm going to call for you again," he thought, unable to even look at Night Raid's members anymore. "I'm going to call for you, and next time, I don't think I'll be able to hold back."

He walked away from them for the last time, hating the wave of comfort that washed over him. His ties had at last been severed, and now, he had no limits.


"Wave!" Kurome cried, laughing as she ran over to her friend and grabbed one of his hands. "You're okay!"

"Y-yeah," he chuckled, scratching his neck and blushing slightly from the sudden contact. "Grand Chariot did pretty well! I'm still in one piece and I managed to catch up, though it looks like the battle is pretty much over."

Bols stepped forward, gesturing to the boy with one hand. "And Tatsumi? Did you happen to see him on the way here?"

"Yeah," Wave said quietly, looking at his feet. "He's fine."

"He won?" Bols exclaimed. Wave shook his head, then nodded, then sighed and gave them a shrug.

"I'd put money on it," he murmured. "He was using that sword, after all."

"Oh," Kurome blinked. "The one that blocks things?"

Wave reached over and grabbed her shoulders, and this time it was Kurome's turn to blush. "You've seen it?"

"Yeah," she laughed nervously, prying his hands away. "He really bailed me out back there. The sniper girl's...Mine's...rifle nearly had me. I don't think even Natala here would've been fast enough," she admitted.

The puppet in question lowered his head shamefully, desperately trying to ignore Doya's sneering face and her mocking pokes as she circled around him.

"He's fine," Wave insisted, turning away from the other two. "If he's using that, then he's fine."

"It's pretty handy when it comes to defense," Kurome replied, "but Bols even said it was a four-to-one battle. How can you be so confident?"

"That thing is monstrous," Wave grumbled, causing his two friends to look at one another in confusion. "I could feel it in the air whenever he held that thing, and even Esdeath seemed eager to see it. You know how the commander is," he continued, staring at his open palm. "She loves things that are powerful, things that inflict pain and suffering. I'm not trying to insult her or anything, but if she was so eager to see it while I was training with him, then I'm sure Tatsumi will be fine."

"Anyway," he sighed, "what do you guys-?"

"Heya!" Tatsumi laughed, stepping from the trees and startling everyone. Even Kurome's two remaining puppets jumped back in shock. At this Kurome could not contain her disbelief, looking from one to the other and back to Tatsumi as he continued to chuckle.

"How did they not detect him?" she wondered, remaining silent as the boy flashed her a smile and bumped fists with her friends. "He might be good, but to completely slip past Natala and Doya…?"

"So you really did win!" Wave laughed.

"Please forgive my doubtfulness," Bols apologized, bowing his head. "I should have had more faith in your abilities, Lieutenant Tatsumi!"

Tatsumi blinked, sweating a bit and scratching his neck with another laugh. This one was a bit more nervous, though, and Kurome cocked her head to one side. Something seemed off about him, and she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

"Please, please," he continued to laugh, "you're too much! Anyway, let's just move forward and-"

"Ah!" Kurome yelped, falling to one knee and clutching her head.

"Kurome!" Wave cried, looking horrified as he ran over to her and knelt at the girl's side. "Are you alright? What's wrong?"

"Sheesh," Kurome sighed, reaching out for him with one hand. He immediately took it into his own and stared at her with concern, so much so that she couldn't even stare back. She swallowed the lump in her throat and fought the rising heat on her cheeks, rising shakily to her feet.

"I'm fine," she insisted, "just a little tired. I pushed Yatsufusa to the limit, and it bit back like always. Sorry," Kurome said quietly, "but I'm probably going to slow you guys down."

"I'll help you," Wave replied. Tatsumi stepped forward with one arm outstretched, however, and wrapped one arm around Kurome's back. He brought her left arm over his own shoulder and supported the girl as they walked forward.

"I'll do it," Tatsumi insisted, flashing his blue-haired doppelganger a wink. "This way we can divide our strength more equally. I can make up for Kurome's weakness and cover the rear, and you two can watch the front. We'll move like this the rest of the way, and we can get some well-earned rest once we finally reach Kyoroch."

"Alright," Wave said hesitantly, turning his back on them both. "But if you need any help, or if something goes wrong, just say something. We're all in this together."

"Right," Tatsumi smiled. Kurome was careful not to show it, but her discomfort only mounted as she stared at his weakened grin. Something was definitely wrong, but as they continued to walk forward, that instinct slowly faded...and her exhaustion grew. She found herself drifting in and out of consciousness as the bag of sweets called out to her. It was suddenly hard to speak, however, and she was far too weak to grab a treat herself.

They'd been walking for an eternity before she finally mustered up enough strength to speak, staring weakly up at Tatsumi as she made her request.

"Please," he whimpered, "my treats, you...have to…"

"Don't worry."

She blinked, pain exploding throughout her body as a needle found its home in the back of her neck. Tatsumi continued to stare at her with those fierce green eyes, though his expression was unlike any she had seen before.

"I'll end your pain here and now," Chelsea whispered, throwing Kurome to the ground and crying out with Tatsumi's voice.

"KUROME!"

Wave and Bols immediately spun around and their eyes went wide, both Jaegers rushing to the impersonator's side as Kurome stared helplessly up at them. Her eyes bounced repeatedly from them over to Tatsumi, again and again and again, overwhelmed by desperation as they failed to receive her silent message.

"Enemy...enemy," she thought weakly, her vision blurring as the secret drug within her took its time to activate. "Enemy!"

"I think she's dying," Chelsea moaned, grabbing her head dramatically and looking from one Jaeger to another. "We need to get help, and fast!"

"I'll stay with her!" Wave yelled, adrenaline coursing through him as he grieved over Kurome's weakened form. "You two hurry on to Kyoroch and grab a medic! Grab two, grab ten, I don't give a shit! Just go!"

"No!" Chelsea cried, staring at Wave with eyes that were not her own. "This is my fault, I didn't notice the signs in time! At least let me watch over her while you two run ahead, you have more energy anyway! I used up most of mine in that battle!"

"Tch," Wave looked away, grinding his teeth in frustration. "Alright, alright! We'll go, but you better stay put!" He glared at Chelsea with a ferocity she had never seen, and in that brief moment, she came to fully comprehend the depth of his feelings for her victim. "I will never forgive you if you don't!"

"I will, I swear!" Chelsea lied, glancing down at Kurome. "Now hurry, we don't have any time to waste!"

"Bols, let's go!" Wave yelled, dashing forward so quickly, so angrily, that the masked man had no chance of keeping up. "Hurry!"

"I'm coming, Wave!" Bols cried out, already sweating as he tried desperately to keep up with the distressed boy.

"No," Kurome thought, her thoughts becoming more clear with every second as the strongest drug within her body finally began to work. "Come back, she's...she's not-!"

"This is the end for you," Chelsea whispered, flashing her needle one more time as she prepared to strike another vital spot. "You've lasted pretty long for someone who just sustained a fatal blow, but I guess that means Akame wasn't kidding when she called you a monster. You're probably in a lot of pain right now," Chelsea continued with her pitiful tone, "but I'm not a monster like you. I'll show you mercy."

Kurome's eyes went wide as she looked behind the fake Tatsumi, another figure coming swiftly into view.

"I will show you none."

Chelsea's own eyes went wide and she spun around, her final moment spent focusing entirely on the serrated blade that descended upon her form. Blood burst into the air as the Muramasa cut down its second victim, and it cut far deeper into Chelsea than it had Najenda. The assassin fell to the ground and did not move again. Tatsumi stared coldly at his enemy as she laid in a growing pool of her own blood, quickly sheathing his greatest weapon and dismissing it. The real Tatsumi immediately scooped Kurome into his arms, smiling sadly.

"My timing's pretty good, huh? I'm glad I made it here before she…"

He closed his eyes and looked away, choking back the grief that continued to fester within his soul. His eyes snapped open when a hand found the top of his head, ruffling his hair affectionately. Kurome was smiling up at him, her health returning with every second as the secret compound coursed throughout her body.

"Call them," she said weakly, her hand falling back onto her chest. "They're not far…"

"Wave!" Tatsumi yelled, rushing forward with all the strength he had. "Bols!"

Two indistinct figures up ahead froze in place, shifting slightly before moving towards him. The figures grew larger and larger as they closed in, before finally assuming the shape of his friends. When at last the Jaegers reunited, all of them had to stop for a moment to regain their breath. Bols and Wave looked to each other and back to Tatsumi, confused.

"What's," Wave gasped out, "the matter? What's-?"

"Wasn't me," Tatsumi replied weakly, looking from Wave to Kurome and back again. "Camouflaged Night Raid member, already dead. Kurome's getting better."

"Getting better," Kurome confirmed with a weak smile, reaching out for Wave and widening her smile as he took her hand again in his own.

"I don't believe it," he muttered, eyes shut and his expression one of immeasurable shame. "I left you alone with an assassin, I…"

"You tried to save me," Kurome replied, still smiling as he opened his eyes. "You still haven't shown me how strong you are, though."

Wave laughed and laid her hand back on her chest, staring gratefully at his other friend. His superior, his commanding officer.

"So, how'd it go? You're still in one piece."

"Two members down," Tatsumi said, feeling empty as he stared at the horizon behind the other Jaegers. "I removed the biological Teigu's core, Susanoo's core, and just killed the one who tried to kill Kurome. Najenda is wounded, and two others are unconscious."

"In the end, we couldn't capture any of them," Wave sighed. "Sorry, Tats. I know you wanted to avoid hurting anyone."

"What's done is done," Tatsumi declared, moving past Wave and Bols. "Five members of Night Raid remain, and we can deal with them later. They won't be able to handle all of us the next time we meet."

"Tatsumi, you…" Bols trailed off, watching as the merciless lieutenant continued to move forward.

"I'm done with Night Raid," Tatsumi declared, still refusing to look back. "If you don't want to be left behind too, then I suggest you hurry up. We've already wasted enough time."

"Yes sir!" Wave and Bols said as one, running over to Tatsumi and matching his pace as they walked on either side of him.

"One story ends, and a new one begins," the lieutenant thought to himself, staring down at the sleeping girl in his arms. "I guess there's no getting around it. I'll use you to carve out that new story, Muramasa. Even if it kills me."

Even as the thought crossed his mind, Tatsumi knew it wasn't the truth. He would not be the one to die. Everyone and everything in his way would die, and that fate would never befall his fellow Jaegers.

"Seryu and Dr. Stylish will be doing backflips," he thought with amusement, their faces popping up in his mind. "I'm bringing them a nice present."

"What are we going to do, Tats?" Wave crossed his hands behind his head, staring leisurely at the setting sun.

"We're going to destroy everything that threatens the Empire," Tatsumi smiled, "even if it means reaching down to the Capital's roots and tearing them apart."

Wave and Bols both looked to him in surprise, unable to formulate any reply.

"I'll cut them all down," he boldly declared, "even the Prime Minister himself!"