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Chapter 4: Ghosts

Capital Streets

Bard was patrolling late this night. It was about eight days after he sent his letter to Esdeath, along with several days after the death of Police Captain Ogre. Some of his friends felt like quitting but Seryu wanted to continue her pursuit of justice. Thinking about how obsessed she was with justice made him wonder if their views on it would clash should she end up on Esdeath's team.

But that was for another time. For tonight he was covering a shift for his friend Karl, as he wanted to go on a date with his girlfriend, as he whistled a tune. As he whistled, thoughts of a home in the distant past called to him. He walked as he recalled the tune's origin. The mountain air, the scent of the rare flowers that bloomed and the honey mead. Ultimately, he thought of the one person he thought still loved him despite his banishment, a person possibly long gone.

His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a small commotion. He paused as his instincts as a guardsman kicked in. He began walking towards the scene as something much older then his Guardsman's duty tugged at him. His survivor instinct, the very thing that aided him with the Snow Tiger many years ago.

It was telling him to run. Danger of unprecedented power was there. He was not strong enough to get involved. But the Empire's cry's for help in rooting out the corruption propelled him forward, he had to prove that the Corrputiom needed to be removed, that he could be strong! He could prove to her he was finally strong!

"Bardulf." Came a voice that made him stop short. He shivered as moments flash acrossed his mind. "Come back inside. I made your favorite."

"M-Mother?" He murmured as he walked further. He discovered the brown haired emerald eyed boy he indirectly warned about the second earth dragon. However, the person next to him made his eyes widen. Standing before him was a woman no taller then Esdeath, with red hair tied in a braid, when she looked at Bard he gasped in horror, shock, and ultimately, sadness. For his amber gaze, peered into another pair of amber eyes.

Standing before him, was his Mother. But how could this be? Before he could do anything further, his instincts finally surfaced again and screamed for him to snap out of it. For what he was seeing was an illusion. A ghost brought up by large man with a crown with an eye affixed to it.

This was Zank the Beheader, a serial killer who once served as an executioner, now a dangerous criminal. Bard was to transfixed at the illusion. Unwanted memories flooded his mind as the other person present tried to fight the Beheader off.

The moment Tatsumi decided to do that however, the illusion broke and Bard swiftly snapped out of his trance. "Zank the Beheader?!" He shouted in shock. "Then what was?!" He darted his eyes and looked and noticed the headband on his head.

2 Years ago

"So what are Imperial Arms Esdeath?" Bard asked as he looked at Esdeath who was demonstrating her new Ice powers to him.

"As I've said, they are powerful weapons, as close to magic as one could ever hope for." Esdeath stated. "There are Only a small number, half of which are lost. I happened to attain the most powerful one the Empire still had in store. Right...here." As she said this she pulled Bard's hand to make him touch the tattoo on her collarbone. It caused Bard to blush profusely.

"E-Esdeath!"

Present

Bard shook his head from the Memory. Before he could say what was on his mind he felt a blow to the back of his head. He stumbled a bit. "Who... what...?" As he fell forward and blacked out he saw black hair and Red Eyes.

"A...ka...me." Bard muttered before falling forward.

20 Minutes later

"You didn't kill that guy did you?" Tatsumi asked as the pair made a run for it.

"No, He has to live. That's why I knocked him out." Akame explained. "He's a Person of Interest. Najenda will explain, she and Lubbock know him very well."

"Okay but can I get the abridged info from you so I can ask what he is?!" Tatsumi shouted as they disappeared into the night.

Two Days Later

Bard was nursing a headache as he heaved a sigh. After Akame knocked him out he was woken several minutes later by Seryu and Koro. The corpse of Zank was nearby, Seryu assumed that Bard was killed by him until she saw his head was still attached. As for Zank it was quickly discovered he was killed by one cut Kill Murasame. The preferred Teigu of Akame of Night Raid.

"You were lucky you escaped unscathed." Is what Bard recalled his colleagues saying. He scoffed. What did he got to show for it? A bump on the head and medical leave. But he knew what it really meant. Honest is possibly going to dismiss him from the Guardsmen post. He didn't want the one shred of freedom torn away from him. He didn't want to be branded as Esdeath's Pet.

Then there was a knock on the door and he sighed and opened it. "What is it?" He asked and saw the one particular person he didn't expect to see. "Liver! What brings you back?"

"Esdeath's campaign is wrapping up nicely. However, she is wrapping it up more quickly then usual when she heard of your brush with death." Liver explained. "Also, I have the Armor Esdeath made for you right here, should you wish to try it on?"

"Of course!" Bard stated as he followed him to the back to his quarters to try on the armor. It was mixture of silver plating, black and blue clothing, with an Amber Stone affixed on each gauntlet. The Black Cross of the Partas Clan was affixed in the center of the chest. A helmet was meticulously shaped into the head of a wolf.

Bard was in awe of how the armor looked. So much in fact that he failed to notice Liver leaving the room with the door opened. Bard examined each piece with admiration when he heard the sound of clicking heels of a female officer's combat boots that came closer and closer. Bard's eyes widened as he realized who that might really be.

"Oh Cr-" his realized gasped was interrupted by a strong hug from behind, he recognized who it was from the blue hair that cascaded across the corner of his eyes and the bosom that pressed against his back. The hug was bone crushing but Bard knew that hug.

"I'm home Bard! I missed you so much Darling!" Esdeath shouted as her lover quickly tapped her arm, begging for air. As soon as she eased up he turned around and faced her with a small smirk.

"What a surprise. I didn't expect you back till three weeks were up." Bard stated. The General put on a serious face as he said that.

"When I heard you had a brush with A Fugitive and Night Raid, I had to come back. Plus they were weak." She stated as her stare hardened. "Honest wants to remove you from the guards."

"On what charge? Incompetence?" Bard joked. "I dodged death and that is my reward."

"No. Your reward for dodging death is much much better then that." Esdeath replied with a smile. "I convinced him to have you join the little team I wish to form."

"I'm sorry what?" Bard asked. "I thought that was for Teigu users."

"That's one of two rewards from me. I'm taking you to the Teigu Vault and once you pick one out we'll train together like we used to when we were younger." Esdeath stated firmly.

"But I'm too weak for a Teigu! I'm barely as strong as a low rank Danger Beast Hunter!" He stated as Esdeath seemed to ignore him as she dragged him by the hand and made him sit on the bed.

"You're strong in mind and spirit. Surely a Teigu will make up for Physical strength somehow. Besides, you're my one and only Mate. I have faith in you." Esdeath said assuringly as she patted his head, the amber eyed male wincing a bit when she touched the bump.

"So Night Raid knocked you out I hear? They're lucky I'm in a good mood, otherwise I'd hurt them for bumping your head." She stated in a tone that hovered between angered and caring as she touched the sensitive bump. "Your body is so sensitive to pain at times."

"Esdeath, please don't baby me. I'm not the nine year old boy you found in the woods anymore." Bard said. "I'm almost twenty for goodness sake!"

"Ten years since I met you have gone by already?" Esdeath asked with a raised brow. "Fufu.~ I think I should give my second reward early then."

"If it's another collar I swear to the gods, yo-mmph!" Bard was interrupted by the sudden kiss from his girlfriend as she quickly withdrew.

"You'll see what it is eventually darling. Now Bard, be a dear and let's enjoy our little reunion." The General said as she gained a large smirk that Bard identified with several things. One, she was plotting something malicious to an enemy, or A political rival of Honest. Second, She had something in terms of evening plans in mind for Bard.

It seemed to be the latter as she froze Bard's legs to the floor as she then walked to close the door, freeing Bard once she did so. Outside the door Liver could only sigh. "Oh to be young again and feel love's keen sting. Whatever is going to happen in there however, I would best leave to my imagination."

Omake Antics!

No. 3: Traps

Bard was walking one day in the woods when he stepped in a snare by mistake that sent him one foot off the ground. "Gah! A snare?! Who sets up a snare on a trail?!"

"I do Bard. You didn't even see the signs." Esdeath stated as the young huntress pointed at a piece of fur marked with her Clan symbol as Bard sighed despairingly. "Sorry Bard, you fail this test, again."

No. 4: Heights

"We have to climb this mountain to get to the Empire. Come along." Esdeath stated as she walked.

"O-okay. I-it's doable if I don't go too high." Bard said as he followed her.

6 minutes later

Bard watches a Bird fly overhead as he clung to the mountain wall. "A Vulture? No that can't be a good sign."

"Bardulf. Look at me." Bard looked up and saw Esdeath above him as she pulled him up onto a stable ledge. "You're doing good, I have faith in you." When bard was about to say something in a scared tone again she pecked his cheek. The young boy slightly turned red as Esdeath lead him onwards through the mountain trail she discovered.

Review Response time!

Animefan260: Oh Honest knows and tried to keep her placated, but he dislikes Bard. Because he criticizes him. They're not the best of chums. Yes Najenda would figure out some strategy to try and use Bard to win Esdeath over. Whether or not Najenda enacts on it is up to her.

grither55: Yup, She really doesn't like it when those she considers family is messed with. Scary things happen. Very scary things.

Imperial Warlord: Glad you liked it!

Thats all there is for now! Hope to see you all in 2017! And as always;

Remember to review!