Their expressions were both telling and interesting. Tamera looked confused, as if she knew that name but didn't know where she had heard it. Michaela, on the other hand, looked terrified, her mind undoubtedly drawing some kind of sinister conclusion as to why he was there. For his part, Haru just sat there silently, waiting for the inevitable response. "What do you want with us?" Michaela asked, her voice laced with worry, "If you're here to-"
Raising his hand, he stopped her right there before saying, "Again, I have no intention of harming either of you. Nor do I plan to kidnap you." Turning his attention to Tamera, he decided to explain it so they would both understand. "Your dad and I are in a tricky situation right now, Tamera," he said, trying to sound friendly, "As it is now, we're going to end up enemies." "Does that mean you're going to try and kill Daddy?" she asked, looking concerned. "Not if I can help it," Haru replied, smiling slightly, "That's why I'm here. If he's the kind of man I think he is, I will do everything I can to help him get through this alive."
"Why would you?" Michaela asked, sounding skeptical, "You're a member of Night Raid; an assassin. Why would you help your enemy?" "Because despite what the authorities have told you about us, I do have a conscience," he replied, letting a bit of steel creep into his voice before turning his attention back to Tamera, "So, what kind of man is your dad?" "He's an amazing one!" she replied, her face lighting up, "He's always cheerful and funny, and he always makes time to play with me when he comes home." "He doesn't raise his voice, and he always tries to make us happy," Michaela added, her gaze softening, "He isn't abusive, if that's what you mean."
"I never thought he was," Haru replied, leaning back, "If fact, he's pretty much how I thought. I just have one more question; do you know what he has done because of his job?" That question caused them both to pause, their eyes clouding over. That's almost answer enough he thought as he watched them, concerned about what he would hear. "Yes, we know," Michaela replied, her voice soft and sad, "I know that he's had to do some terrible things because of his job as a soldier. And I know that it's inevitable that people like you would be sent after him."
After a moment, she seemed to find some inner strength. Looking up at him with conviction, she added, "But he's still a good man. He's only done those things because he had to. If he hadn't, then someone else would have." Those words more than anything helped Haru make up his mind. Getting up, he said, "Then he and I are more alike than I thought. Thank you, that's all I needed to know." "Hey, mister Haru, can I ask you a question now?" Tamera said, causing him to pause as he turned to leave. Smiling warmly, he nodded. "Can I see your scars?" she asked, looking sincere, "I promise I won't be scared by them."
Laughing softly, Haru replied, "Bols really did raise a brave little girl, didn't he? But are you sure? It's not something that most normal people find… acceptable." "Why is that?" Michaela asked, now curious, "What's so wrong with a few cuts around your eyes?" "You know about the Imperial Arms, right?" he asked, deciding to take a different approach, "Well, some of them need to be fused with their user to work properly." "So your eyes are your Imperial Arms?" Tamera asked, catching on quicker than he would have thought. Wiggling out of her mother's hold, she walked over to him before tugging on his pant leg. "I wanna see. Please, mister Haru?" she asked, her eyes brimming with curiosity.
Looking to her mother for approval, he saw that she was smiling warmly at them. I can tell he's not a bad person she thought as she nodded. Taking a deep breath, Haru knelt down before reaching up and undoing the knot. As he lowered the blindfold and they saw his eyes, he watched as Tamera took a slight step back in surprise. For a moment, they were speechless and Haru was worried that he had made a mistake. "They're pretty!" Tamera said suddenly, walking up and looking closer, "It's like you're part dragon!"
Haru was surprised at her reaction, sure that she would have fled in fear. But then, she is Bols' daughter, and he's no push over either he thought as he smiled. "Thank you, Tamera," he said as he got back up and put his blindfold back on, "I have to go now, but I hope to see you again." As he opened the door to leave, he turned back and addressed Michaela. "I will do what I can to make sure your husband comes back. If he does, I need you to trust him if he asks you to do something…unusual." While she was puzzled at this, she still nodded as he left. It was strange to meet the young man her husband had spoken about. He appeared to be someone that wished to be a kind person, but accepted that he there were certain evils that he had to do. You really are so much like my husband she thought, smiling.
After leaving the house and making his way out of the city, Haru slowed his pace to give himself enough time to think. He hadn't seen or sensed any signs of deception or dishonesty from either of them, so it seemed that Haru's initial assumption about Bols was correct. Unfortunately, this left him in yet another uncomfortable situation where he would have to make a choice. Bols was a good man at heart, but he also had clearly accepted that his job was not a kind one and that he had done some terrible things. The fact that he had told his wife and daughter about it and they still loved and supported him despite that was incredible, but it also further complicated his choice.
I can either carry out headquarters' request and take someone they love from them, or I can refuse he thought, grimacing, but even if I refuse to do it, someone else will do it anyway. It will most likely be Akame, believing she's sparing me from a painful decision. While he could understand her desire to spare him pain, this wasn't something he could just pass along to someone else. After a while he found himself asking if Bols truly deserved to die, a question that Haru felt like he had a personal investment in. And why wouldn't I? Both of us have committed crimes because it is what our job demanded of us. So, would it be justified if he was killed? If I was killed?
Looking at it objectively, he could understand why people would feel justified in having someone like him killed. He was a monster, a murderer with blood on his hands. After all of the suffering and fear that he had brought, why shouldn't he die for his crimes? And yet, in spite of all of that there were people that cared for him. And how would they feel if I died? Would they feel the same, or would the sorrow just continue? Sighing, he scratched his head in frustration, knowing full well what he would have to do but reluctant to admit it. Screw it, if I allow this to happen I will never be able to face Tamera or her mother again.
By the time he had reached the hideout, he had decided on a tentative plan of action. It would depend greatly on what Najenda had planned to get Bols and Kurome separated from the rest of the Jaegers, but if he played his cards right then it just might work. Removing his blindfold as he walked through the main entrance, he was forced to plug his ears as Tatsumi and Mine were in the middle of a rather heated argument. "For the last time, I didn't take your freaking cake!" Tatsumi said, gritting his teeth and pointing at her, "Stop making unfounded accusations!" "I saw you eating it, idiot!" she replied with just as much volume as she brought Pumpkin up, "Stop trying to deny it and accept your punishment!"
With a yelp, Tatsumi jumped to the side just as Mine fired. Thankfully the gun was on its lowest setting, so it only put a small crater into the wall instead of blowing it out completely. Sighing, Haru stepped between the two as Tatsumi rushed past, bringing his hand out and grabbing Pumpkin's barrel. "I don't know how many times you're going to fall for the same tricks, half-pint," he said, ignoring her glare, "You do remember that we have a master of disguise here, right?"
This seemed to be something she hadn't considered, and she rounded on Chelsea who looked surprised that he had figured it out so soon. "Haru, you're no fun," she said, pouting, "You could have at least let them fight a bit longer." "I've seen what happens when Mine gets worked up," he replied as he walked past a stammering Mine, "I'd like the building to remain intact, thank you." She just stuck her tongue out at him in response before she was forced to flee as Mine had finally regained her composure. He smiled lightly as he heard Mine yelling after the girl to just hold still, that she would make it painless. Dropping down onto one of the couches, Haru unclipped his cloak before bundling it up as a pillow and stretching out.
Before he could really drift off into sleep, he felt the light on his face change and there was just the slightest feeling of warmth. Opening his eyes, Haru tried not to jump as he saw Akame's face inches above his own. She was leaning over the back of the couch, looking at him curiously. "So, what did you have to do in the capital?" she asked, trying not to show how being this close to him was affecting her. "What makes you think I was in the capital?" he responded, trying to keep his voice level. He was also having a bitch of a time keeping his cheeks from turning red. He could see every detail in her dark red eyes, and it was breath taking. Damnit, Leone probably put her up to this he thought as he gulped.
As it turns out, that is exactly what it was. Leone had suggested it as a way to put him off-balance, and it looked like it was working. "You still have your blindfold with you," she said, pointing at his pocket. Damnit he thought as he sighed. "It was just some personal business, okay?" he said, trying to close the matter, "Care to tell me why you're hovering over me?" "I'm sorry, am I making you uncomfortable?" she asked in a teasing tone, leaning a bit closer. While he had been gone, Leone had also decided to teach Akame a few of her tricks for teasing men. While she kept her face impassive, on the inside Akame couldn't help but feel pleased as Haru finally got some color on his face from her actions.
"You come much closer," Haru managed, trying to maintain his self-control, "And we both may end up regretting it." "Oh, and what is it I will regret?" she asked, deciding to push her luck. At this point she was close enough that he could feel her breath, and it was taking every scrap of his self-control to not do what his heart was screaming at him to do. Rather than let this situation continue, Haru reached up and lightly flicked the side of her head. "Ow," she said, leaning back and rubbing her temple. This gave him the perfect opportunity to sit up and rob her of a chance to pin him down again. Damn you, Leone he thought as he took a few breaths to steady his pounding heart, you're going to pay for this.
The moment he sat up, Akame felt annoyed that he had escaped so easily. Truth be told, she actually enjoyed the way he had reacted to her teasing, and she made a note to try it more often in the future. No wonder Leone teased Tatsumi so much she thought, smirking as she came around and sat down next to Haru. "So, are you going to tell me what you were up to?" she asked, leaning closer, "Or do I need to get Leone in here to get you to talk?" Deciding he would have better luck with at least part of the truth, he replied, "I needed to ask a friend of mine about these boosters I have. I'm still not sure what kind of side-effects they have on the user, especially if I have to use several at once."
"Why would you need something like that, anyway?" Akame asked, "Can't you just get stronger through training like the rest of us?" In truth, it had been something that had been bothering her for a while now. He was using a drug to achieve something rather than working for it, and that felt too much like what she had seen while in the Empire's service. "It's not the same thing," he replied, looking down in shame, "For the rest of you, it's a matter of needing to build up your physical strength and mental fortitude. You need to learn new techniques and work on mastering old ones better."
Holding his hand out, he manifested a small flame in his palm as he continued. "That's not the case for me," he said, almost sounding ashamed, "My power draws on my physical strength, sure, but it also takes a mental and emotional drain like you wouldn't believe. Why do you think I sleep so much? Even manifesting this much fire is almost as taxing as a full workout." Hearing this, Akame looked closer at him and saw the subtle signs of strain. His eyes were incredibly focused, and she could tell that he was also starting to breathe deeper than normal, almost like he was starting to feel winded. "And you have to do this every time you're in a fight?" she asked.
"Yeah," he replied, smirking, "I may be able to use my fire four or five times now thanks to my training, but if I am forced to go that far I'm just a punching bag later. That's why I need those boosters. It may be a totally artificial strength, but it's enough to keep me on my feet until either my enemy is dead or I can escape." Snuffing the flame out, he breathed easier as he sat back. Glancing over at her, he could see the concern for him in her eyes and it was touching. "Trust me, this isn't something you would want to possess," he said, cracking a genuine smile, "And all this makes me nervous as all hell about fighting Esdeath."
"Because you know what it takes to do what she does," Akame surmised, gaining a new appreciation for the woman, "To be able to create so much ice at a whim, and then to be able to fight as ferociously as she does. That takes a lot of strength." "So much so that I'm not sure we could take her," Haru replied, sighing, "At least, not without some crazy-stupid risks." "So, what did you have planned for the rest of the day?" she asked, changing the subject. "You mean besides trying to sleep?" he responded, smiling as she shot him a glare, "I don't really have anything planned. Why, did you need my help on something?" "Actually, I was wondering if we could…talk?" she asked, looking a little embarrassed.
"About what?" Haru asked, smiling at her and leaning back. "I noticed a…picture, the one that you have by your bed," she said, fidgeting, "And…well, I've been wondering…" The moment she mentioned the picture, she could feel Haru tense up and thought that she may have just crossed a line that she shouldn't have. "It's…" he began, sitting up and scratching his head, "Well, it's just a family photo from a few years back. Nothing special." "So, you have it to remember your family?" she asked, looking at him. When he nodded, she continued, "So, when do you plan on seeing them again? I assume you're sending money along to them like Tatsumi is to...his…"
She noticed his eyes cloud over the moment she mentioned seeing them again. What did I just do she wondered as she said, "Haru, are you okay?" Turning away, he struggled to burry those emotions back where they belonged while also trying not to give Akame the wrong impression. He was also kicking himself, since the only two that knew about what happened were Tatsumi and Mine. "I'm fine," he managed, his voice still a little thick with emotion, "To answer your question… I don't expect to see them again for a while." Leaning closer, she placed her hand on one of his, trying to understand what she had said to cause such a reaction. "What is it, Haru?" she asked, trying to project more authority, "What's wrong?" "It's nothing," he said, deciding to try and change the subject, "Can I ask you something now?" When she nodded, he asked, "What's up with you and your sister?"
If he had been looking for the same reaction that he had to her question, he got it as Akame looked down. "It's…" she began, trying to find the right words, "When I left to join Night Raid, I tried to get her to come with me. But, she was loyal to the Empire. She probably regards me as a traitor, and I'm sure she wants to kill me herself." "Well, it probably doesn't help to know that you're right," Haru said, felling horrible for the position she was in, "I talked with her briefly about…that, and she pretty much said the same thing. Although, I was amazed at how much you look alike. It was kind of cute, actually, like there was a younger you there." While she appreciated his attempt to lighten the mood, it didn't help too much. Still, she looked up and tried to smile.
Finally unable to take how serious it had gotten, he got up and said, "Hey, how about we take a walk? You know, get some fresh air." Nodding, Akame got up and followed him out the door before taking a deep breath. "It may not be the same place as before," she said as they walked down one of the paths, "But it still feels like…" "Home," Haru finished for her, causing them both to smile, "So, what do you plan to do after we win this thing?" "So now you're sure we're going to win?" she asked, unable to resist the urge to tease him. "Hey, we're powerful enough as it is," he said, projecting confidence, "With an entire tribe backing us, as well as a whole religion, I think we're going to win this without a sweat."
Akame just laughed softly at his boasting. Of course, neither of them believed it would be that easy. Haru was just acting tough, trying to boost their spirits and give them something to laugh about. "Well… I'm not really sure," she admitted, her look turning sad, "I've only ever really known this. I'm not sure I can just settle into a normal life. What about you?" Scratching the back of his head, Haru tried to come up with an answer. "To be honest, I haven't really thought about it," he admitted, smiling sheepishly, "I guess I'd spend some time traveling around. I haven't seen much of anything beyond some places down south and the areas around the capital." "Oh, is that so?" Akame asked, "I would have thought you would have done a lot of traveling while working with the Revolution."
"Not really. Before I got my Imperial Arms, I mainly got stuck with guard duty," he said, "Apparently; they had a powerful need to protect their early supply caches. But, thanks to that I got to meet…" He stopped at that, knowing full well where he had been going and regretting saying even that much. "Got to meet who?" she asked, curious now that he had stopped. "I… You don't really know much about my time before Night Raid, do you?" he asked, trying to figure out how to word this. When she shook her head, he continued, "I got to know one of the operatives that frequented the cache I guarded. She was… one of the most spirited and driven people I've ever met."
He didn't even need to look at her to know that Akame's spirits fell hearing him talk about another woman. But, he knew that this would come out sooner or later, and it was probably best that she heard it from him. "Her name was June, and we quickly became good friends," he said, "When I left to join Night Raid, she was opposed to it, saying that assassins should never be needed and that I was turning into the same thing I was trying to destroy. She really had the whole 'honorable warrior' mentality down, and was very outspoken about her beliefs. Still, we parted on good terms, so I guess that counts for something." "Yeah…" Akame said, looking down and away. Why does it hurt to hear him talking about another woman she wondered. Of course it hurts her inner voice chided, you're in love with him, and he was close to someone else.
"If it makes you feel any better, we aren't close…in that way," Haru added, knowing full well what had taken the wind out of her sails, "We're just friends." They walked on in silence for a little while after that, and Haru regretted bringing June up at all. "Well, to finish answering your question," he said, trying to rekindle the conversation, "I was thinking about starting up a little weapon shop. I could even forge my own, once I learn how, that is." "That would be an interesting living," Akame said, enjoying the change, "I would like to see what kinds of swords you would produce." "Well, if you ask nicely I might put you in charge of quality control," he added, smiling at her. She returned it, and in that moment Haru felt a connection beginning to form.
Realizing what was happening, they both broke eye contact with Haru clearing his throat. Damnit, how can she affect me so easily Haru wondered, smacking himself for being so stupid. Meanwhile, Akame was briefly admiring how such a simple offer could make her heart skip a beat. He almost asked to live together she realized before she reached down and pinched herself, get a grip; now's not the time to become a love-sick puppy. "We should probably head back and get some rest," she suggested, turning around. Haru just nodded in agreement, not trusting himself not to say something stupid.
When they returned to the hideout, it was to a slightly disappointed look from Leone. She had been hopeful that they would finally swallow their pride and confess to each other. But judging from the fact that they separated after entering the building, they clearly hadn't. Sighing, Leone decided that it was time to have a talk with Haru. Man, being the big sister can be a real pain she thought as she walked up to his room.
Meanwhile, Haru was on his back on his bed, trying to finally gain control over his rampant emotions. We agreed not to go there he kept repeating, trying to reason with them, we don't want to cause each other pain; so for the love of God, stop acting up when I'm near her, damnit. Hearing a knock at his door, Haru sat up just as Leone decided to let herself in. "You know I could have been doing anything in here, right?" he asked, a little annoyed at her actions. "I know," Leone replied, smiling sweetly, "It would just give me something fun to talk about later. So, what's up with you two?" "You're going to have to give me more than that," Haru said, already dreading where this was heading.
"It's been almost two months now, Haru," Leone said, sitting on the edge of the bed and looking serious, "You two have all but confessed your feelings, and don't pretend you don't know how she feels about you. So, why are you still hesitating?" Looking down, Haru tried to come up with an answer that wasn't just an outright lie. He knew full well how Leone would react to that, and he wanted to sleep without bruises. "Besides the fact that we don't want to hurt each other?" he said, looking up, "I guess it's because it's me she's falling for, and not someone else."
Quirking an eyebrow at that, Leone waited for him to continue. "I'm…not human anymore, Leone," he said, trying to keep his emotions in check, "So, how could anyone be happy with a half-breed like me? Honestly, now that I think about it, it would probably be better if she fell in love with someone else." "Better for who?" Leone asked, unable to keep the frustration out of her voice as she got up, "For her? I can tell you right now that pushing her away will only leave her with a broken heart. So, you must mean better for you. Is that what you are, Haru; a coward that pushes everyone away because it's easier?"
He wasn't able to meet her gaze after that, feeling like dirt because part of him felt she was right. "I…don't deserve her love, Leone," he said, finally giving voice to those thoughts, "She deserves someone better than me; someone that won't just bring her more pain and misery." Finally getting fed up with his self-defeating talk, Leone brought her hand up and punched him, hard. "Is that how you see yourself? Just some bad luck charm that brings pain?!" she demanded, absolutely furious with him now, "You know, Akame told me that you didn't consider yourself human, but I didn't think you were this stupid! Why don't you get down off your cross and realize that people actually care about you?"
"It's easy for you to say that!" Haru shot back, getting up and just as mad, "You didn't have to watch your home get destroyed by Danger Beasts! You didn't have to become what you despise just to get stronger! So don't lecture me on stupidity, I already know I'm an idiot! But this is what I had to do, and I won't let it hurt anyone else, especially Akame." "So, you think that just being with you would hurt her?" "I know it would! Look at me, Leone; I'm a god-damned half-breed!" he answered, "I've seen the kind of reaction people have to things like me, and I won't expose her to more pain. I care about her too much for that."
"So, that's it; you think you're protecting her by pushing her away?" Leone asked, unable to believe this was coming out of Haru's mouth, "And what about the rest of us? Are you just going to slink away when this is all done?" "Provided I survive, that's exactly what I'm going to do," Haru said, turning away, "It's better for everyone if monsters like me just disappear. And there's nothing you can say or do that's going to change my mind on this." "The hell there isn't," Leone replied, activating her Imperial Arms. Turning around, Haru was about to fire off another reply when he saw a lion's paw coming straight at his face.