Episode 14: Kill the Acceptance


"Are we there yet?" Tatsumi groaned.

"For the last time, no," Wave sighed. "We are not there yet."

The fading light of day had been the only thing they could look to, the only way to decipher just how much time had passed. Hours, to be certain; but how many? It had been long enough for Tatsumi to grow tired, his arms getting weaker and weaker as Kurome napped in them. He'd recently accepted Wave's offer to switch with tremendous gratitude, heaving out a sigh of relief as the other boy took the girl into his arms. He and Bols had kept quiet about what they'd seen afterwards, as there was no mistaking that look in Wave's eyes when he accepted the sleeping girl.

He was very, very fond of her. He looked just as comfortable holding her as she looked while sleeping.

And so they carried on, one foot before the other, chasing the dying sunlight as they made their way to Kyoroch. Dusk was sneaking up on them, and if they didn't reach a safe place soon, they would surely be overwhelmed by Danger Beasts. Even with the power of his two Teigu, Tatsumi knew this to be true. His excessive use of the 47th had drained nearly all of his energy, making the use of Incursio impossible. And with his strength so low, Tatsumi did not want to risk drawing the Muramasa from its sheath again.

His eyes narrowed as he began to fall behind, eyes half-lidded from exhaustion. He had not forgotten the sensation from before, the sheer joy of abandoning his willpower and allowing that cursed sword to take control. Incursio never betrayed him, never hurt him or his friends. It protected everyone, it was a barrier for all the things he wanted to keep safe.

His new weapon, on the other hand, was nothing less than a curse. It should have been a last resort. In spite of this, in spite of everything he'd known before journeying out of the Capital with his three friends, he had willingly succumbed to the sword's influence and wounded his former leader. He had destroyed Mine's Pumpkin, he had knocked her and Leone unconscious. He stole Susanoo's core and attacked Najenda. He attacked Najenda.

Tatsumi grit his teeth, the roots of regret digging deep into his heart. He had wanted to bring everyone together. His vision of both parties cooperating had been so hopeful, so inspiring. He had ruined any chance of that happening, destroying the relationship with his old friends in the process. It hurt like nothing else, and it took every ounce of willpower in him to feign a smile when Bols looked back at him.

"Lieutenant Tatsumi," the kind man inquired, "are you feeling alright? You look exhausted!"

"Honestly, I am," Tatsumi admitted. "Doesn't mean I'm giving up, though! We'll be there soon."

"Perhaps I can help!" a new voice called out. Bols, Wave, and Tatsumi all looked to the sky as a familiar face descended upon them. With his golden hair flowing and his smile captivating them all with its genuine kindness, the Jaegers below couldn't help but to be filled with new hope.

"Run!" they cried out together. The other Jaeger laughed cheerfully, his Mastema casting out a cloud of feathers in front of them.

"And how are you all?" Run laughed again. "Keeping well? I'm happy to see that there were no casualties resulting from the ambush."

"Not on our side, anyway," Tatsumi smiled weakly. "How did things go on your end?"

"Oh, we ran into a pack of bandits," Run shrugged, still smiling. "Hardly the challenge that you three faced, I'm sure. I am correct in assuming that the entirety of Night Raid attacked you?"

"You got it," Wave replied, lifting Kurome a little as he reaffirmed his hold on her. "Pretty clever move on their part, honestly. They took me out of the picture pretty quick, but we pulled through. Kurome's puppets and Tatsumi's other Teigu really bailed us out."

"Other Teigu?" Run raised his eyebrow, looking over to the young lieutenant. Tatsumi merely shrugged, looking off to the side.

"You guys have seen it already, but I never really explained it. Maybe I'll do that when we get to Kyoroch, but for now, let's just focus on what we're doing next. What's the plan, Run?"

The elegant man widened his smile and extended his hand, friendly as ever. "I was merely sent to confirm your well-being, and now that's taken care of. Regardless of how the battle turned out, General Esdeath knew that the surviving Jaegers would be able to rendezvous with us up ahead. As it so happens, you four have made excellent progress! The others are waiting just up ahead, where our two paths intersect. You've all worked hard, and I know the commander will be proud."

Run looked again to Tatsumi, still showing off that little smile of his. "With that said, what information should I relay to the commander upon my return? I know you're all tired and eager to return to the rest of the group, so a concise explanation will do nicely. You'll have more time for rest if you let me do the talking, so just give me a brief summary of what happened and I can hastily make my return."

Tatsumi promptly opened his mouth and told the man everything, from their initial meeting with Night Raid to his destruction of Mine's Teigu and the acquisition of Susanoo's core. Run's eyes widened when Tatsumi then claimed to have taken on the remaining assassins alone, and they narrowed once again when he mentioned the imposter who had almost murdered Kurome.

"I see," Run replied, looking troubled as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "This is definitely good news, on all accounts, but why have you left the imposter's Teigu behind? If it's not destroyed, then it is a valuable asset to us."

"Too tired, didn't care," Tatsumi whined. Run chuckled and shook his head. "And the assassin's body?"

"Bloody, but still in one piece."

"Fair enough. In that case, I will head back and grab the Teigu in question. Keep moving forward and you will reach the rest of us, I promise. Just a little further and you will have earned your rest a hundred times over."

"I want you to leave the body where it is," Tatsumi insisted, moving forward to grab the man's arm. Run stared at him coolly, the smile weakening just a little.

"And is that an order?" Run teased, placing his free hand above Tatsumi's. Without a second of hesitation, the boy nodded, his eyes looking quite fierce in spite of his depleting energy.

"I destroyed two of their Teigu and killed that girl without mercy. At least let them have the body, so that they can bury it properly. I'd hate to think what might happen to it if we bring it back with us."

"It will be done," Run bowed elegantly.

With that, he took to the sky once more and sliced through the air with tremendous speed. Like a flash of lightning he soared back the way they had came, eyes scanning the ground for a dead body and its precious cargo. Tatsumi trudged on ahead and looked back to his two conscious friends, nodding at them. His eyes settled on Kurome only briefly before he looked forward once more, summoning all of his remaining strength as he broke into a weak jog.

"Let's go," he called out. "The sooner we get there, the sooner we can pass out!"

"Sounds good!" Wave called back, laughing tiredly as he tried to ignore the weight of the girl in his arms. "Really wish I could use Grand Chariot, though. This would be so much easier."

"No kidding," Tatsumi laughed. Bols shared in that laughter as well, sounding pretty tired himself.

"You young men are so lucky," their friend cried out. "I've lost my Teigu! Maybe if I had time to be creative, I could've turned it into a jetpack!"

All of them laughed together, unified through their tiredness and renewed hope. The battle had not been in vain, nor had their efforts gone unnoticed. Salvation waited up ahead, and every enthusiastic step forward drew them closer to their cherished reprieve. The three of them eschewed from further conversation, focused entirely on leaving the forest behind and reaching their destination. Tatsumi in particular was feeling rather excited, something he wasn't expecting at all.

Where before the sensation had filled him with dread, now the frigid air only seemed to fill him with hope. She was near, and he could feel it. She was close and he was happy. They were finally safe.

He could hear her voice already. He couldn't even feel his feet anymore as he walked.

His vision faded, eyes closed one moment and half-open the next. Time slowed to a crawl even as it accelerated around him, and he surrendered completely to his lack of control. Bols helped Tatsumi onto the horse as Esdeath turned around, pulling him forward to place a chaste kiss upon his forehead. The young lieutenant slumped against her form and Esdeath sighed in comfort, taking care to wrap his arms around her waist and interlock his fingers. Wave was just barely strong enough to ride on his own, thanking Bols for his assistance as the older man placed the unconscious girl upon the horse and helped to secure her. The older man then moved over to Run's horse and sat behind him, quietly lamenting the loss of his Rubicante. As before, Stylish and Seryu were already riding together, engaged in some heated discussion and occasionally taunting one another.

Like this, the Jaegers journeyed together into the dry paradise of Kyoroch. The sun finally had its rest and imparted its task to the moon, the land quickly trading dull orange for blinding white. Various Danger Beasts emerged and took part in their nightly hunts, missing out on their only chance to consume human flesh.

Night Raid and the Jaegers had lived to fight another day, but their battle was far from over.


"Unnghh," Tatsumi groaned, shrinking away from the fingers that coursed through his hair and tickled his neck. "Lemme alone."

"Fufufu," Esdeath chuckled, placing her hand upon his warm cheek. "Pushed yourself too hard, hm? Or perhaps you're just lazy?" She briefly adjusted her position on the edge of the bed, trying to get more comfortable as the tired boy struggled to fall back asleep.

"Both," Tatsumi mumbled, burying his face into the pillow. She pulled him away from it and dragged him into a sitting position, forcing her lips upon his own. Naturally, his eyes went wide and his heart stopped.

Tatsumi pulled away, fully awake and caught off-guard by the beautiful woman before him. "Can I help you?"

Esdeath laughed cheerfully and wrapped him in a warm hug, banishing all thoughts of rebellion from his mind. Tatsumi accepted her embrace and closed his eyes, torn between the image of a mother and the possibility of a lover.

"We sure got here fast," he whispered into her shoulder. Esdeath released her own breath slowly, blissfully, before pulling away from her subordinate and gazing upon him. Even in spite of his own weakness, Tatsumi looked from one asset to the other, taking it all in as Esdeath stared at his face. Her hips, her chest, her neck and her face...she was nothing less than exceptional.

Beautiful in every way and the perfect fuel for his own youthful lust. Nothing he'd done had been lacking in that regard; rather, he owed every kiss and every embrace to that lust, shamefully looking back on his own lack of restraint. Values had been thrown away for youthful desire, motivation forgotten in the wake of beauty...and it had felt worthwhile, too alluring to ignore. He couldn't ignore her, now. He didn't want to.

"I don't love you," he blurted out, instantly regretting it when Esdeath's face fell. Where once there had been happiness, there now was devastation; her eyes went wide and her lips parted, the shock quite apparent on her face as his words immediately struck home. Tatsumi could deny it no longer, and he finally found the strength to let it all go.

"I don't love you," he repeated, "but I wouldn't mind it. I wouldn't mind loving you, one day."

Esdeath lowered her head, silent as she contemplated his words. Tatsumi took the time to examine his surroundings, taking in the exotic decorations of the room as he waited for the coming storm. The walls were decorated with strange, fluid carvings, and the wallpaper was adorned with curls and contours. The sapphire walls all around them were barely visible in the weak candlelight. The room itself was empty with exception to the bed and a nearby wardrobe; the wardrobe itself was empty, laid bare with its doors wide open. The mahogany door leading to the hallway beyond was also quite pleasing to the eye, carved with more intricate designs and sporting a handle of solid bronze.

"Why hasn't she said anything, yet?" Tatsumi wailed internally. "I could probably examine the entire building, at this rate!"

Whatever building they were in, it certainly wasn't lacking in elegance. For that matter, the one who owned it couldn't have been lacking significant affluence. Assuming they'd finally reached Kyoroch and were close to the target they were ordered to protect, Tatsumi couldn't help but assume that the man in question was inside that very building. He may very well have been next door, listening to their conversation and laughing at Tatsumi's awkward outburst.

"Please don't be true," he groaned within his mind.

"Then," Esdeath declared with renewed vigor, "I'll find a way!"

This time it was his eyes that went wide, his heart pounding as the General smiled with hope and rested her hands upon his shoulders. "I've been wanting to experience love for a long time, but I never knew how it worked," she admitted. "I thank you for your honesty, but if you wouldn't mind...could you tell me? Tell me how to love, tell me how it all works. I don't want to lie."

She lowered her head, then, looking ashamed. "For something this important, something so unique, I can't help but fear a great sense of shame if I lie. Even if it is all new to me, it carries a strange weight...almost as if it is something divine, something that must never be corrupted."

"It's not that big of a deal," Tatsumi chuckled, reciprocating by placing his own hands on her shoulders. "To make it simple, you just listen to your heart."

"My heart?" Esdeath blinked. Tatsumi nodded, his smile widening.

"Yeah. It sounds weird, I know, but you can feel it. You'll know what it is because it might seem unreasonable. You'll feel that it's right instead than knowing that it is. It's not something that's created by facts or logic, but something that's born of your feelings. You don't just 'decide' to love someone, it simply happens."

Esdeath blinked, thoroughly confused. Tatsumi laughed loudly this time, quickly overwhelmed by how cute her innocent face was. For a fearsome warrior and a butcher of thousands, she certainly looked like a child when discussing such things.

"It's not something you plan," he continued, removing his hands from her shoulders and placing them in his lap. "Love really has no logical explanation, since it's based on feelings and not on logic. You shouldn't feel it just because you want to try something new, but because you're really attached to someone and feel like you can't live without them. They complete you, they're half of what you are after you meet them."

"I could live without you," Esdeath admitted with a confused face, blinking a couple times as she struggled to comprehend it all. "Does that mean this isn't love?"

"Pretty much, yeah. Love isn't that weak, but lust is. I kissed you before just because I thought you were beautiful," Tatsumi confessed, "not because I was in love with you. It's completely different once you reach that point. That's what I've heard, anyway."

"You learned this all from someone else?"

Tatsumi scratched the back of his neck, chuckling nervously. "W-well, yeah. Kind of. There were other boys in my village who talked about it, but Lubba was definitely the worst. All he ever talked about was women and how much he wanted to have sex with them."

"Lubba?" Esdeath blinked. Tatsumi turned away, the weight of his actions crashing down on him once again.

"One of my friends in Night Raid," he mumbled. "He probably hates me, by now."

"That would be his loss," Esdeath insisted, her hands moving from the boy's shoulders up to his cheeks. He turned his head back to her and blinked, surprised at her sudden change in tone. She was more passionate, now, more genuine. His eyes widened as an old revelation worked its way back into the forefront of his mind.

There was more than one Esdeath, there always had been. The one who had spoken to him many times before was the fearsome general, but this was the woman within. The one he had seen peering out of the darkness, full of fear and hesitation. This was the truth behind the Butcher of the North.

And he would drag her out, no matter how painful it might become. She was worth fighting to change, and speaking of which…

"You were right, by the way," Tatsumi sighed, shaking his head. "I was the one who changed, after all. I chose you over them, I turned my back on Night Raid and everything they stand for."

"We are both changing," Esdeath insisted, rubbing little circles into his cheek with one of her thumbs. "By your reasoning, we do not love each other," she continued, "but it is not impossible. It's not beyond our reach. If we spend enough time with each other, if we want it, then would it be possible?"

"Y-yeah," Tatsumi stammered, completely taken aback by her enthusiasm. "I already said I want to...I mean, I wouldn't mind it. I like you," he sputtered, suddenly nervous as she stared right into him. "I've never met anyone like you, but we're not really...I mean, we're just close to each other. We haven't really…" Tatsumi tapered off, scratching his neck again and looking away. Esdeath removed her hands and mimicked his own pose, placing them in her lap and staring at her knees.

"This is real," she thought. "This is real and I-!"

"I want this," she whispered. Tatsumi looked back at her and blinked, surprised when she flashed a confident smile and pumped her fist with enthusiasm.

"It's settled, then!" she boldly declared, causing him to lean back in shock. "I will find a way to make you love me, and I'll find a way to love you in return!"

"You're really dedicated to this," Tatsumi replied, shocked at how infectious her new optimism was.

"Of course," Esdeath waved, reaching over to ruffle his hair for a moment. "Don't you feel it, too? As if it is destiny?"

"Maybe a little," Tatsumi shrugged, not quite ready to commit. "But we've got bigger things to worry about, right? Let's save this for when we've got more time to ourselves. Maybe I'll be the one to take you out on a date, this time," he joked.

Once again, the fearsome general caught him off-guard with her incredible blush and cute expression. Tatsumi cleared his throat and looked away from her, desperately trying to regain control.

"S-so," he finally said, "what's up? I just woke up in some room that I don't remember walking into. Is everyone okay? Have we made it to Kyoroch?"

Esdeath nodded, rising up from the bed and taking a step back. Now she was all business, and Tatsumi had not been expecting such a quick reversal in her aura. "Here is the short version, considering you were unconscious for most of the journey. You and the others in your cell managed to find the strength to meet up with mine, and together we all crossed into Kyoroch. Much of the distance we covered on our own, so the rest you covered on the way was minimal. Upon our arrival, I met briefly with Bolic, the man we have been assigned to protect. All of the other Jaegers are now resting in preparation for our guard duty, with the exception of you and I. I suspect that will change in a few short moments," she chuckled.

"Let's not overdo it," he smiled weakly, leaning back on his comfy pillow. "If you ever need help, just give me a call."

"So brave," she teased, quickly reaching over to pinch his cheek. Tatsumi winced but didn't lose his smile, trying to grab her hand and cursing quietly when she pulled it away. She winked at him and blew a kiss in his direction.

"We'll take our time," she assured, smiling gently at him. "What once was a whim is now my desire, Tatsumi. You said you wanted this as well, and I can't express how much that means to me. I trust you to show me the way, Lieutenant."

"Too tired," he chuckled, closing his eyes. "Ask me later."

"I will hold you to that," she giggled in return. Tatsumi settled further into the bed and indulged in his own fantasies, going over all the possibilities they could share one day.

"I really do like her," he thought to himself. "Maybe one day, we'll be..."

"I want to kill the Prime Minister."

Both of them were surprised, then, and for entirely different reasons. It was easier for him to expose himself, all of a sudden, and Tatsumi shrank away from her as Esdeath closed her eyes reproachfully. Even so, even in spite of his weakened condition, Tatsumi reached out for the strength of his second Teigu.

"I'm going to kill him," he amended, "because he is killing this Empire. He's killing innocent people, he's the poison coursing throughout the Capital and ruining countless lives. I have to be the one to kill him, because Night Raid won't be able to."

Esdeath's expression was completely blank as she stared at her lieutenant, wrapped up in her own maelstrom of thought as he continued. "I know it sounds crazy and treacherous," he continued, "and I won't try to argue that. But we're the Jaegers, and we uphold the peace. If the Prime Minister threatens that peace or turns it into a lie, then we're obligated to kill him...right?"

"Tatsumi...are you speaking as a Jaeger, or as an assassin?"

Tatsumi could hardly swallow the lump in his throat, so overwhelmed was he by the dangerous aura that had suddenly enveloped the woman. He closed his eyes and begged for more strength, nervousness finally giving way to confidence as he traded fear for madness. The thrill was there, coursing through him like bolts of lightning. Regardless of what words he chose to speak, he knew that she would not deny him.

They could no longer deny one another, and they would ride into oblivion together.

"I'm speaking as myself," he responded coldly. "It doesn't matter what I am when I talk, right? The end result will be the same: if he dies, the Empire lives. If you're afraid of losing your chance to fight, then I'll take on that responsibility."

He reached out for her, his hand shaking from the effort. "I'll become the strongest, and you can fight me whenever you want. Let's heal the Empire and kill some important people along the way, huh?"

"Tatsumi," Esdeath chuckled, "you really meant it, didn't you? You've changed."

"I will kill him," Tatsumi growled, looking over to the Incursio. "I'll be the one to change everything, and I'll do it with your help."

Moonlight streaming through the nearby window caught the edge of the shortsword, and his mind was flooded with memories once again. He had to be the one, he had to kill that evil bastard.

"For Bulat and Sheele!" he screamed within his mind. "For Sayo and Ieyasu, and for everyone back in the village!"

"No words can express the joy that I feel when you place so much confidence in me," Esdeath cooed, "but you should catch up on your rest. We can talk again after your nap, once the reception party starts. Everybody needs one right now, myself included."

"Alright," he moaned, feeling weary once again as he pulled the covers up to his chin. "Are you going to sleep in here?"

"Do...you want me to?" Esdeath turned around, clutching her heart as Tatsumi blinked with heavy eyes.

"Yeah," he mumbled, "I do."

"I suppose..." she said nervously, quickly making her way to the other side of the bed and crawling in. Tatsumi couldn't help but smile as she snuggled up to him, playing big spoon as she wrapped her arms around him.

"I really like your hair," he whispered suddenly, taking a few locks of precious sapphire into his fingers. "When I first met you, it was your hair that stood out more than anything else. I thought it was beautiful, and I still do."

He waited eagerly for her amusing response, and she didn't disappoint; clearly overwhelmed, she buried her face into his shoulder and mumbled incoherently for a moment. She let out a blissful sigh as he snuggled deeper into her embrace, the bedsheets radiating with the heat they shared.

"How did it feel?" Esdeath whispered. "What was it like to fight them, to cut them down and sever your ties?"

"As their friend, it felt like a nightmare," Tatsumi admitted. "But as a Jaeger, as a warrior, I was just...excited. I loved feeling so powerful, even if it wasn't all my strength. It was almost like Muramasa was wielding me, and not the other way around."

"Are you afraid?"

Tatsumi turned around, rotating his body to face her completely as she held him.

"You don't have to be afraid," Esdeath reassured him, pulling him tighter against her body. "Regardless of what happens, I will always be here. I've never felt like this before," she whispered. "It's not just you who has changed, Tatsumi."

"At this rate, I really will fall in love with you," he chuckled. At long last he decided to hug her back, nearly stopping the woman's heart as he wrapped his own arms around her. "I'm exhausted, but now I just want to stay up all night and look at you."

"That would be unwise," Esdeath giggled, kissing the top of his head.

"I respectfully request permission to stay up all night," Tatsumi grinned.

"Denied, Lieutenant." Esdeath smiled back, trying her best to hold back the laughter.

"I'm going to file a complaint with the Prime Minister when we get back," Tatsumi replied, reaching up to cover her eyes with one hand. "Then you'll get in trouble!"

"I imagine it would be hard to file that complaint if you've already killed him," came her snarky response, pulling his hand back down and leaning forward to kiss him. He pulled away, much to her disappointment, and continued to mock her with that cheeky grin.

"Not this time," Tatsumi chuckled again. "This time, I'll do it. This time I'll make it mean something."

He kissed her, then, and for all the feelings they shared it may as well have been their very first. It was deeper than before, slower than before, and felt far more genuine to them both. Lust had abandoned his mind, and now there was only passion.

The two of them worked for the Empire, but did not subscribe to its agenda. They were individuals, they were two of the strongest human beings alive. They were warriors, comrades and friends. And, one day…

"One day," the two of them thought as one, "we'll be something more."


"Houh? You look well-rested," Bolic sneered, staring down at the Jaegers from his comfy throne. "Ready for a night of wicked debauchery, my esteemed guests? I've prepared only the best for you!"

The man was surrounded by beautiful women with hardly any clothing on, smiling like the lecherous old man that he was. His one free hand alternated between stroking his chestnut-colored beard and grasping the 'assets' of the women around him. They ravished the corrupt man's body with their dainty hands, giggling and whispering and praying silently for his undivided attention.

If Bolic liked you, then he kept you around. If Bolic liked you, then you were protected. They knew this well, and so they caressed his form with vim and vigor as the Jaegers looked on in silence. Tatsumi was clearly disgusted, and Esdeath seemed to be feeding off of that energy, hardly able to smile with him so upset. Chastising him with a fierce gaze whenever he clenched his fists or scrunched up his face, she tried desperately to keep him under control as the man ahead continued to mock them with his arrogance.

"To think that the great General Esdeath would finally grace us with her presence!" Bolic laughed, resting his chin on one hand as he examined the new arrivals. "Truly, I am flattered that the Capital would send someone of such caliber just to guard me for a short time."

"Well," Esdeath smiled, "you are a very valuable asset, as I'm sure you already know. As for how long we will remain here, that is still up for debate. Thanks to a special contact hiding within the Revolutionary Army, we know that you have been marked as Night Raid's next target."

"Is that right?" Bolic raised an eyebrow, not worried in the slightest.

"They seem to believe that your death would help to facilitate a rebellion within Kyoroch. You are to be protected at all times, and we cannot leave the area until the members of Night Raid are either apprehended or killed. Those are the orders that were given to us."

"Apprehended?" Bolic raised an eyebrow. "I was under the impression that Honest wanted them eradicated."

"There were unexpected developments," Esdeath continued, glancing at Tatsumi. "As I'm sure you've heard, criminals with suitable potential have become my subordinates in the past. These assassins would be no different if they weren't so committed to their goals, something that has made twisting their loyalties far more difficult. Funnily enough," she chuckled, "that's part of what makes them so alluring. That kind of dedication, when used properly, can prove to be an invaluable quality."

"Quite, quite!" Bolic laughed, clapping his hands together in apparent joy. "You're just as entertaining as I've heard, gyahahaha! With charm like yours, maybe Night Raid can still come around...or not! Personally, I'd rather keep some of them for my own pleasure or offer their corpses to some of my associates. There are men and women out there with a taste for, shall we say, 'docile' lovers! Hahahaha!"

Esdeath cursed within her mind as she glanced once again at Tatsumi, taking notice of his killing intent. Her lieutenant was clenching his fists and his teeth again, struggling to maintain that neutral expression. Thankfully, the four observers she had sensed could not discern Tatsumi's intentions. With Bolic still so wrapped up in his indulgent laughter, she could move without arousing any suspicion.

In a flash, she reached over and placed a reassuring hand on Tatsumi's shoulder. He quickly snapped out of his angry trance, much to her relief, and blinked up at her with those big green eyes. She winced and clutched at her heart, fighting to still the beating heart in her chest as he blinked in adorable confusion.

Feigning amusement towards Bolic and attempting to put Tatsumi's expression out of her mind, Esdeath stepped forward and extended a hand to the man before her.

"If you wouldn't mind," Esdeath interrupted, "could I meet the ones who have been spying on my Jaegers since our arrival here? The ones who are listening even now, ready to intervene at a moment's notice? It simply wouldn't be right for us to enjoy the party without them."

"As expected of the Empire's Strongest," Bolic chuckled. "You noticed their presence from the very beginning!" He pushed one of his courtesans away and snapped his fingers, still smiling as four shadows descended from the ceiling and slammed into the floor in front of him.

The first was a young woman with sandy blonde hair tied up in short twintails, smiling ever-so-slightly with one hand on her hip. Though the fabric around her legs appeared to be quite elegant, her lack of a top definitely offset that; all she wore was a bra, and she was far from being the most endowed woman he'd seen. Though her twintails were adorned with two golden rings that would've easily attracted the attention of others, Tatsumi just continued to stare at her chest.

He smirked a little, eyes flitting up to his superior officer. "Not even half as good as yours."

She elbowed him in the ribs for that one. Tatsumi groaned pitifully, casting Wave a vicious glare as the other boy snorted and covered his mouth with both hands.

"I will end you," he whispered. Wave just continued to snort in amusement and Tatsumi shook his head, returning to his examination of the four new arrivals.

The second one in the group, standing immediately to the blonde girl's left, was a rather imposing man sharing in her sense of fashion. As before, his lower half was amply covered and his upper half was mostly exposed. Giant metal bracers, the color of midnight, adorned his forearms and were joined by a similar pauldron resting upon his left shoulder. While his massive, black beard was nothing out of the ordinary, the man's hairstyle was definitely strange. Instead of something simple like a shaved head or a mop upon his skull, this guy had four odd-looking spikes of hair jutting out above his ears! The hair that remained was hanging behind him in a ponytail.

All in all, this one definitely had an intimidating aura about him. Tatsumi scratched his chin and tilted his head to the side, staring directly at the first two as they stared at him. Clearly the interest was mutual, but that didn't bother him too much. The third member, the one with black hair, was the second woman in the group. She, much like the first, appeared to be quite normal with the exception of her clothing.

Tatsumi wiped a bead of sweat from the side of his face. "Why the hell is she only wearing one 'breast protector?' What are those even called? Why is she only wearing one of them?! I don't get it!"

The fourth member was the second male of the group, a man with purple hair and stitches along his forehead. His eyes were more erratic than those of his comrades, and they continued to flit from one person to the next as he licked his lips repeatedly. This one put Tatsumi on the edge more than the others, and he narrowed his eyes when the man's gaze settled on Esdeath for just a little too long.

"Jealousy?" Tatsumi pondered, looking up at Esdeath as fire coursed through his body. "No, it's not that. It's anger. This one, he…"

Tatsumi grit his teeth, staring the man down and forcing him to look away from her. "He pisses me off!"

"These are the ones who keep those nuts in the Path of Peace under control," Bolic bragged. "Honest was very kind to lend them to me, these Four Rakshasa Demons! In order from how you are viewing them, they are so named: Mez, Sten, Suzuka, and Ibara! In the short time we've been together, they've already kept many annoying rats out of my business and stopped a handful of weak assassination attempts. In truth, they're like family to me!"

"Ara ara~" Mez chuckled, turning to look at the man. The ringlets in her hair jingled from the sudden motion, filling the great chamber around them with their noise. "Always so strict with us, but now you show some gratitude? You're just keeping up appearances, aren't you?"

"Behave yourself," Sten chuckled, crossing his arms as he examined the Jaegers before him. "Ours is a thankless job that pays better than the useless shit we bothered with in the past. You shouldn't be complaining!"

"Now, now," Bolic laughed, "there's no need to quarrel!"

"I was wondering why they hadn't appeared in the Capital for some time," Esdeath thought aloud, scratching the tip of her nose. "This would be the explanation, then. And now that we are here, I assume you will have them abandon their guard duty for other pursuits?"

"Precisely," Bolic sneered. "They've been here at my side this whole time, but now I can finally have them let loose for a little while!"

"You can't do that!" Seryu cried out, suddenly leaping in front of the other Jaegers with a look of concern on her face. Tatsumi's eyes went wide as she stepped forward so boldly, unaffected by the fearsome protectors standing before them.

"Please wait," Seryu continued. "You can't fight Night Raid without using Teigu, it would be impossible! They're not what you-"

"There."

Tatsumi's pupils dilated as his eyes moved of their own accord, tracing the movements of the fourth Rakshasa Demon as he maneuvered behind Seryu and gently placed his hand behind her neck.

"As you can see," he bragged, "we can handle ourselves, little lady. You can stay inside while the adults go out and play!"

Not once did that disgusting grin leave the man's face, and a wave of disgust washed over him as Tatsumi watched Ibara lick his lips again. As he joined Esdeath in her sudden leap forward, it felt like the memories he had of Sheele didn't matter anymore. His past feelings for Seryu had long since been abandoned, replaced by something more precious.

"I will protect you," Tatsumi and Esdeath thought as one, moving simultaneously to approach the Demon from both sides. She summoned a vicious icicle from the left and he called forth his stronger Teigu from the right, both of their weapons resting by the Demon's neck in a single instant. Tatsumi's hand was shaking and his heart was pounding, adrenaline coursing through his body and causing the sheathed sword to occasionally bump against the Demon's neck.

"Oh?" Bolic smirked, enjoying the look of surprise on Ibara's face. Seryu's attacker laughed nervously and looked from one Jaeger to the other, from Esdeath to Tatsumi, and sighed.

"As expected of General Esdeath!" The purple-haired man praised, turning his head back to stare down at Tatsumi. "I'm surprised that this one moved just as fast, though. Is he planning to kill me without an introduction?"

"How rude of me," Esdeath snickered, tightening her grip on the ice spike in her right hand. "My apologies, Bolic and Rakshasa Demons. This is Lieutenant Tatsumi, my second-in-command among the Jaegers. In terms of both authority and raw strength, he is second only to me. Truthfully, I'm just as surprised at his performance as you are."

She leaned back to look beyond Ibara's body, tilting her head to look over at her future lover. "He has been holding back his full strength for some time, so moments like these are ones that I take great pride and pleasure in witnessing."

"Most impressive!" Bolic boomed, clapping his hands and looking from one Jaeger to the other. "Lieutenant Tatsumi, would you permit me to ask but one question?"

"Fine by me," Tatsumi smirked. The tremor in his hand was no longer caused by adrenaline or fear alone, but by excitement.

"Why," Bolic asked while leaning forward, "did you not draw your sword?"

Tatsumi blinked, looking from the man to his Teigu, back and forth in confusion. When he didn't respond, Bolic cleared his throat and traded the smile for a frown.

"I will ask again," Bolic said gruffly. He almost sounded insulted. "Why is your sword still sheathed if you intended to protect your comrade?"

"I don't have to use this in order to win," Tatsumi growled, trying more to convince himself than the people around him. "And besides, I can't use it unless I'm in a real fight."

"And why is that?" Bolic sneered.

"Because I can't put the sword away until I've cut someone," Tatsumi responded, lowering his weapon the moment he saw Esdeath dismiss her own. "Unless the sword draws blood, it won't return to the sheath. And the longer it goes without blood when drawn," Tatsumi continued, "the louder its voice becomes."

"And why," Bolic leaned back into his throne, "did you not cut Ibara?"

The Demon in question began to sweat nervously, looking from one person to the other as the two calmly discussed his potential death.

"I knew he wasn't going to just kill her out of nowhere," Tatsumi argued, "so there was no need for that. It's not like we're enemies, I just needed him to know his place."

"Better watch your mouth," Ibara hissed. He slapped Tatsumi's sword away with one hand and stepped towards him, but stopped mid-stride when Bolic raised his right hand. The Demon scoffed and displayed his middle finger to the boy before returning to the other three Demons, his mood completely soured.

"Now you have piqued my interest," Bolic smiled cruelly, slicing through to Tatsumi's core with those evil eyes of his. "General Esdeath. If you would be so kind, might I see this weapon's power for myself?"

Her eyes went wide as the question slammed into her, concern for the boy immediately welling up in her as he moved to her side. Esdeath turned to face him and stared straight into Tatsumi's eyes, examining them for the smallest trace of fear or doubt. Things were different, now.

"It's all different," she cried inside her own mind. "It's not that I think you're weak, but I-!"

"Give the order," he said without emotion.

She reached out for him, placed her hands on his shoulders and opened her mouth to argue, but Tatsumi merely stepped away from her.

"It's fine," he assured her, glancing to the man out of the corner of his eye. "Let's give him what he wants."

"Very well," she sighed, reaching out to ruffle the boy's hair before he could get away. The embarrassed look on his face did wonders to cheer her up, but she still felt worried as he stepped forward and lifted the weapon in his left hand.

"I can't bear it for long," Tatsumi hissed, glaring at the hedonistic bastard in the throne, "but hopefully I can still put on a good show for you."

"I'm looking forward to it!" Bolic laughed.

Tatsumi pulled the sword free and bore the weight of its curse, struggling against the virulent flames that coursed throughout his body and consumed his mind. His fellow Jaegers stepped back in surprise, even Esdeath, as his brown hair was slowly devoured by brilliant white. One streak after another infected the youthful strands upon his head, and his sea-green eyes were corrupted by crimson. Tatsumi flashed a dangerous smile as Bolic and his Rakshasa Demons shared the expressions of his comrades.

"Is this enough for you?" Tatsumi scoffed, holding the Muramasa out in front of him as the air around them all grew increasingly heavy. "It's really complaining right now, so I don't know how much longer I can show off for you guys."

"I don't see what the big deal is," Bolic stammered, clearly intimidated by the boy's menacing new aura. "All you've done is changed your hair color, and maybe your eyes! What's so special about that sword?"

"My Incursio can cut a lot of things," Tatsumi claimed, stepping forward as the blade's influence grew stronger. "It can form a suit of protective armor, it can summon a spear and it can evolve with every battle I experience. But this…"

Tatsumi raised the sword and pointed it at Bolic, carelessly scowling at the man and revealing his true intentions to the Demons at his side. "This Muramasa can cut everything. Why protect yourself when you can just defeat the enemy before they even touch you?"

The largest of the four Demons, Sten, stepped forward and drove an angry fist into his palm as he prepared to attack the young man. "Are you threatening him?"

"No," Tatsumi said calmly, tilting his head to look at Sten and flashing his trademark smile. "I'm just giving him the explanation he wanted. That's all."

In a flash, Tatsumi brought the sword's edge to his palm and sliced into the flesh, crying out in pain as blood spilled onto the Muramasa and was immediately absorbed into the steel. The air around him grew much lighter and Tatsumi heaved out a great sigh, sweating from the effort of his little display as he returned the Muramasa to its home. He dismissed the 47th Teigu with a flick of the wrist and walked back over to Esdeath, breathing heavily as he continued to stare directly at the man he'd been ordered to protect.

"Looks like I'm going to kill you, too," he thought with a small grin, causing Bolic to shrink back even further against his throne.

"Hope I didn't scare or offend you!" Tatsumi laughed, scratching the back of his head like nothing was wrong. All of the Rakshasa Demons sweatdropped and even fell backwards at the complete change in his attitude, baffled by his casual apology.

"N-not at all," Bolic stammered, clearing his throat and looking once again to General Esdeath. The woman did not return his gaze quite yet, staring instead down at her pride and joy as he continued to catch his breath beside her. Her smile was his times ten as she looked back over to Bolic, giving him a slight bow as she chuckled.

"As you can see," Esdeath said sweetly, "you will be more than safe with my Jaegers at your side. I trust this one show of strength is more than sufficient for us to earn your vote of confidence?"

"Yes, yes of course," Bolic sighed, running a nervous hand through his hair. "And let me apologize, in kind, for provoking Lieutenant Tatsumi. 'Curiosity kills the cat,' as they say."

"Indeed," Esdeath laughed, spreading her arms wide. "Now then, I believe we have a party to enjoy?"

"YES!" Bolic cried, rising to his feet and clearly overjoyed at the chance to put the last five minutes behind them all. "As you can see, the tables are already prepared and the food is ready! Everything is hot and fresh, and there is plenty of entertainment to be had…" Bolic licked his lips and smiled at the women still around him. "Simply give the word and I will have you know pleasures that only the city of Kyoroch can offer!"

"I have no interest in such things," Esdeath waved him off, "but I will not forbid my Jaegers from taking you up on that offer. Is anyone interested?" She turned around and faced her subordinates, looking from one to the other, and was promptly filled with satisfaction as each and every one of them shook their heads.

"Then that settles it," Esdeath nodded, turning back to look at Bolic. "We won't be needing any sexual gratification for tonight, so I believe that good food and music alone will be sufficient." She then gave Tatsumi an affectionate pat on the head and moved to the table with the alcoholic drinks, an action that worried him greatly.

"Very well!" Bolic cried, gesturing to his Rakshasa Demons. "You four! Take care of the mission I gave you earlier, and remember that a swift success means you can make it back in time for the rest of the celebration. Off you go, then!"

"Understood," the four of them said together, walking past Tatsumi one at a time. He looked to them nervously as they passed by, but each had their own little way of expressing their impressions of him.

Mez tapped his shoulder with one fist and winked, Sten merely shook his head, Suzuka reached over and kissed his cheek when Esdeath wasn't looking, and Ibara made him flinch by throwing a fist at his face. It only took a few seconds, but Tatsumi was thoroughly overwhelmed by their little messages and tugged on his hair in frustration.

"Great," Tatsumi groaned, walking over to join Wave and Kurome at one of the many tables in the room. "Looks like I've made some more friends."

"Also," Kurome mumbled through a mouthful of food, "I still owe you one date."

Whispers among the nobility of Kyoroch would later carry a new legend, a tale of two young men who had taken a legendary dual spit-take in the middle of Bolic's greatest party. For one frightening instant, time itself seemed to be frozen, and the two young men stared in horror at a young girl whose words had never been revealed to the onlookers. Whatever she had said, though, must have been of grave importance to warrant such a tremendous reaction on their part.

"A deal is a deal," Kurome mumbled again, completely unperturbed as she continued to devour her meal. "Let's go to the market tomorrow and have some fun. I want to see the shops."

"I'm so dead," Tatsumi whined, slamming his forehead against the table.

"Maybe we'll bump into the Rakshasa Demons while on our date," Kurome said with another blank face, secretly enjoying the tortured expressions of her friends.

"Dead!" Tatsumi repeated, slamming his head against the table once more.

"Tatsumi," Bols whispered, sneaking up behind the young lieutenant and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "I believe the General is...drinking rather heavily. She seems very happy about something, and she keeps talking about you."

"W-what?" Tatsumi stuttered, eyes like dinner plates as he looked past the man to find Esdeath drinking merrily on the other side of the room.

"Forgive me for eavesdropping," Bols apologized, looking nervous as he rubbed his hands together. "But I believe she said something about 'showing you how to love a woman.' I only came over here to warn you and wish you the best of luck!"

"Why does this always happen to me?" Tatsumi cried, hands on either side of his head as he flipped backwards over the table.