Hello guys :) One week of exam left, so I'll just go study I guess...


Soul in the Dream

CHAPTER 8

(Normal POV)

After a successful defense against the mercenaries invading Night Raid's hideout, the group of assassins was having a little party outside, singing, drinking, dancing, doing party things. During the small festivities, the new recruits, Hitomi and Tatsumi, were discussing with Najenda about their first day as Night Raid assassins.

"Nice work on your first battle, you two.", the Boss praised the two teens. Hitomi was bearing a victorious smile while Tatsumi looked a little more gloomy.

"Y-Yeah.", he responded.

"But, hearing Akame's report, Tatsumi.", Najenda continued, glancing at the brown-haired boy. "There are also some things to be uneasy about... In order for you to survive, I see that you need someone to teach you a lot of things." She then looked him in the eyes, telling him her decision. "Team up with Akame and learn from her."

"WHAAA!?", Tatsumi let out, dumbfounded. In all honesty, he wasn't really fond of the black-haired girl. She showed next to no emotion, was direct and pointed out all his mistakes. He didn't like her.

"Got it Akame?", the Boss said, turning towards said girl, who was near the three, eating a big piece of chicken.

"Uh huh.", she acknowledged, nodding.

"You can cut him down if it seems he'll get in the way."

"Uh huh. Got it."

'You got it!?', thought Tatsumi, shocked and a little scared of the conversation happening before him. He could hear Hitomi beside him trying his best not to laugh in his face but ignored him.

"You're lucky to be able to be taught by a cute girl.", the Boss stated, smirking. "Do your best so you don't get killed!" After a small moment of silence, Hitomi raised his hand.

"So, uh, how about me, Boss?", he asked. "Do I get a tutor too?" Najenda thought about this for a few seconds.

"Hmm... Akame stated that you possessed a lot of potential, showing no hesitation in combat. In all honesty, I don't think it'll be necessary for you to team up with someone for now." Tatsumi, a little jealous, gave the stink-eye to Hitomi, who was doing a little victory dance. The Boss then spoke again. "But, Akame also told me that you were extremely cocky during your fight. Try to arrange that, it'll only get you killed." Instead of accepting the Boss' advice, the blonde teen shook his head.

"Can't do anything about that, Boss.", he said, smirking. "It's just how I fight. No insults, no action."

"... I see... Still, be careful with that."


(Hitomi's POV)

The next day, after a good breakfast made by Akame and Tatsumi, I made my way up to my room. There was something I needed done.

'They arrive in a month... but still...", I thought, searching for a piece of paper and a pen. After some hunting, I found what I was looking for and began to write. A few minutes passed, then I heard a gentle hand knock on the door. "Yes?", I asked. The door opened and Sheele was at the other side. "Oh, hello, Sheele.", I smiled.

"I just came to see if you were okay.", my friend said with a caring smile. "After we ate, you went into your room without a word, so I began to worry that something was wrong." As she said, she visibly looked worried, despite us knowing each other for less than a week.

"Oh, I'm fine.", I replied, smiling to calm her. "I had to do something important.", I shrugged. The purple-haired assassin noticed the paper I held in my hand.

"Is this what you had to do?", she asked. I nodded. "May I read it?" Not seeing a problem with Sheele's demand, I handed her the piece of paper. She began to read the letter I wrote.

'Dear parents,

I know you always want me to get straight to the point when announcing something important, so I'll do just that. I won't be returning home for a while. Why? I think you know the answer. I feel like I need to repay you for the attention and care you gave me since my birth. You payed me clothes, food, education... despite us being poor. You gave me the money you gained without a second thought. Now it's my turn to do something for you. I found a good way to make money outside the Capital, so I'll be going there. Please don't bother the guards to search for me. They won't find me. During that time, please use the money you earned for you own benefits. I can't think of anything else to write, so I'll keep it here.

Until we meet again,
Hitomi'

"... This is really good.", Sheele announced when she finished reading. She had a gentle smile on her face. "You really love your parents, right?" I smiled.

"Yeah, I do.", I replied, remembering the good times I had with them. "The only way I know to get me serious is to talk about them. I just can't joke around when talking about them..."

"I understand." My friend seemed to remember something. "Oh, that's right. Myself, Bulat, Lubbock and Mine are going a mission today, so don't worry about us."

"Hehe, don't worry I won't.", I chuckled.


I found myself walking up the mountains with Tatsumi and Akame, who stayed at the hideout while the others went on their mission. Leone and the Boss were also here, but they seemed to be doing something important so I didn't bother them. We were apparently going hunting and we had big baskets strapped on our backs.

"Hey.", Tatsumi spoke. "It's nice to get away from base for a while, but is this really okay?"

"There is no problem with us going into the mountains.", Akame replied. We kept walking in silence for a while, until the black-haired girl spoke again. "We've arrived."

"Oh wow...", I let out. We were at a small lake. The water was clear and a waterfall was roaring at the other side.

"What a nice place...", Tatsumi agreed.

"We must eliminate the underwater prey.", Akame said. I turned towards her to add something, but what I saw next stopped me in my tracks. Akame was shamelessly removing her top right before our very eyes.

"Wh-What the..!?" I quickly put my hands in front of my eyes by reflex. Why the hell was she...

"These clothes allow the most underwater mobility.", Akame said, not noticing me and Tatsumi's flustered faces. I slowly removed my hands before facepalming. Akame had a swimming suit under her usual clothes... "The targets are large river tuna. That is the goal." With that, the girl jumped into the water, leaving me and Tatsumi to stare at ourselves in silence.

"Huh... She can't possibly mean the exceedingly rare and dangerous fish that-" Before Tatsumi could finish, dozens of large tunas suddenly emerged from the water, raining down on us.

"Holy hell!", I yelled while dodging the storm of fish falling on us.

"Fuh wah...", Akame made when she got out of the water to catch her breath. "Erase your presence and swim along the riverbed.", she then explained, making me shudder a little. "When the prey comes close, you strike that instant. You will need to give it everything you have. Can you handle it, Tatsumi?" Said boy began to smirk and quickly tore of his clothes, leaving himself in his pants.

"Bring it on!", he hollered before jumping into the lake.

"... And me?", I asked, uncomfortable.

"You stay here and put the tunas into the baskets.", Akame replied before diving. After a few moments of silence, I sighed.

"Whew... That was close..."


"So, in the end Tatsumi only caught two...", the Boss pondered while we ate. "For his first time, he did well."

"But didn't you say 'Bring it on!' as you were undressing?", Leone asked, laughing. Tatsumi just glared at me.

"You just HAD to tell her..." I responded to his question with laughter.

"Not good enough.", Akame stared, irritating Tatsumi even more. Before he could retort, Najenda spoke on a more serious subject.

"Leone... Tell me about the request we received a few days ago." Upon hearing the Boss' demand, the blonde girl took a serious air.

"Our targets are Ogre of the Capital guards, and an oil merchant named Gamal.", she replied. "What the client told me was-"

*Flashback*

"Ogre has been accepting bribes from Gamal.", said the poor woman to Leone.

"Continue.", the blonde said.

"Every time Gamal commits a crime, Ogre will frame someone to take the fall for him. My fiance was framed for one of his crimes and was sentenced to death." Tears started wailing up on the woman's face. "He heard them talking to each other while in his cell. Before his execution, he sent me a letter so I would know all this." She was full-on crying now. "Please... Please, somehow, help me clear this regret from my heart..."

"... Understood." Leone firmly said. "We'll send them both to hell!"

"Thank you so much, Miss!" I can't thank you enough!"

*End Flashback*

"This is the payment for the job." Leone said, dropping a large sac of coins on the table.

"That person saved up this much money?", Tatsumi asked.

"I caught the scent of a veneral disease from her...", Leone darkly announced. ".. So she must have been selling her body to earn all of that."

"... That's..."

"Did you check out her story?", the Boss asked.

"They're guilty.", Leone replied. "I observed them for a time from the attic of the merchant's shop."

"... Okay. Night Raid will accept this request.", Najenda declared, lighting a cigarette. "We will deliver divine punishment upon the heads of these heinous monsters. And send them to the hereafter."

"Taking out Gamal will be simple," Leone pondered. "... but Ogre will be a formidable opponent. He is called 'The Demon'... because his skill with the sword makes him an object of terror to the criminals of the Capital.", the blonde assassin explained. "Usually, he spends his time out on patrols with his subordinates. But other than that, he hangs out at The Garrison headquarters. Gamal comes to his private room to give him the bribes. Due to his station, on his days off he leaves headquarters and spends the day drinking on Main Street, close to the palace."

"That's gonna be problematic...", I commented.

"It seems the only time to attack would be on his day off.", Tatsumi added, bringing a hand to his chin, pensive.

"... However, the security around the palace will be tough.", Najenda said. "For Akame, who is on the Capital's most wanted list, this will be a dangerous mission."

"Shall we wait for the group to come back?", the black-haired girl asked. Tatsumi sighed.

"But we don't know when they will finish their job, right?" An idea popped into my head when he said. I smirked.

"How'bout you send us?", I exclaimed, gesturing to me and Tatsumi.

"Huh!?", Tatsumi let out in shock.

"Ohhh...? Are you saying you can kill Ogre yourself?", the Boss asked me.

"I am literally the most annoying person to fight.", I laughed. "I'll manage! Oh, and I guess Tatsumi will be here."

"As you are now, you stand no chance.", Akame interjected. "You may be two, but you lack the experience to kill Ogre." I shrugged her answer with a hand.

"Don't worry, Akame.", I smirked. "If big bad Ogre comes out drunk, it'll be easier to kill him."

"Understood...", the Boss nodded. "I can appreciate your decision. Are you alright with this, Tatsumi?", she asked the brown-haired teen.

"... I suppose."

"Alright then. Go kill the Demon.", Najenda finally ordered.

"Well said, Hitomi!", Leone cheered, patting my back. "It's good that you're so dedicated." She leaned close to me. "And Ogre's not really an eye-candy, so have fun with that."

"... Awesome...", I grinned, malicious intents bursting into my head.

"Leone, Akame, I leave the oil merchant to you.", the Boss ordered.

"You got it, Boss.", Leone grinned. Tatsumi also seemed to have regained his determination.

"How about that, Akame! When it's time, I can step up!" He's still wanting to prove himself to her?

"... Where does this self confidence come from?", said girl replied. "You haven't had a successful mission until after you have given your first report. As you are now, so full of yourself, you'll just end up dead. That applies to you too, Hitomi."

"Awww..."