"Are we there yet?" Ruby asked as the Air mantra flies through the sky.
"I'd say until midnight." Esdeath calculated "That is if we don't run into a storm or a horde of airborne predator Danger beasts."
It had been about 2 full days and 1 night since Ruby and Esdeath caught the Air mantra and sour through the sky with it.
While Esdeath could handle the cold of the clear blue sky and the wind that came with it, and also the hunger along side being airborne so long, Ruby had to compensate by wrapping her cape tightly around herself and distracting herself from the hunger by the sights or by ignoring it.
"...I bet my Friends and your Jaegers are REALLY panicking over our disappearance." Ruby said "We've been gone for a really long time now."
"I'm sure they can handle themselves for just a few short days." Esdeath said "But quite frankly, I'm worried about whoever that trapped us on that island in the first place. He has probably healed his wounds by now as well."
"We'll get to it when we get back." Ruby said as she looks around "But wow, I really missed flying with one of these."
"You've ridden an Air Mantra before?" Esdeath asked as she sat next to Ruby.
"Yeah. Once." Ruby answered "It belonged to the Revolutionary army tho, So we had to let it go back to it's nest."
"I see." Esdeath said "...I suppose you used to move away after Stylish tried to attack your base by himself?"
"...Yeah...I uh..." Ruby started "...we decapitated him."
"I see." Esdeath Nodded "I suppose it served him right. Let that be his punishment for not just going out on his own, but also to not inform me of it in the first place."
"Well, We kinda outsmarted him." Ruby explained "He had the hideout surrounded. But I came up with a plan to sneak out and catch him alone."
"You came up with a plan?" Esdeath asked as she leaned closer to Ruby "You keep Impressing me~"
"Oh, It was nothing." Ruby blushed "The others helped out too. I just used the stuff we had that he had no idea about."
"The element of Surprise. Masterfully executed too if you managed to take Stylish off guard." Esdeath smiled, and snuggled her cheek into Ruby's own cheek cutely "I keep falling for you more and more each second, my love."
"Awww thanks Essy." Ruby snuggled back "...but you promise to get along with the others, right?"
"Your other lovers? Of course. If they do not slow you down or become a burden on you, I won't bother them." Esdeath said "If they do, I'll personally whip them into shape."
"...You don't mean with a REAL whip do you?" Ruby asked nervously "B-Because...You're into torture and all?"
"No promises~" Esdeath jokingly teased.
As the Air mantra kept flying, Esdeath kept sitting beside Ruby and holding her close. It was very peaceful for the two. A kind of Peace Ruby hadn't felt for a while. And she had no more worries, Because With Esdeath on their side, They don't have to fight and kill each other.
'...But I have to tell the others soon.' Ruby thought 'They'll probably hate me for keeping this from them for so long. But let's be honest, I really deserve it from them.'
"...So, How are you holding up?" Esdeath asked "We've been flying for a while without food or water now. Are you by chance starving?"
"Well, I am hungry, but I can still manage." Ruby answered as she rubbed her belly from under her cape "But I'm guessing that you can handle going without food for almost more than a week. Am I right?"
"Just for one week to be exact. I may be powerful but my body still has limits." Esdeath answered.
"And also resistance to cold too Since you grew up on a mountain?" Ruby asked "I've only been managing by through all this freezing wind because of my hood."
"Yes, That too." Esdeath nodded "But now that we're on the topic, Weren't you going to tell me about your ability?"
"Oh right! So...First of all, It's called Aura," Ruby started to explain, while their ride kept flying toward the capital.
"...Still nothing." Ruby said, not seeing any shore ahead through her Weapons scope.
It had reached night time by then, And still not closer to the country. And Ruby was getting hungrier.
"We'll see the country any minute now." Esdeath said.
"I hope so. We can't possibly stay up here forever." Ruby said.
"But I hope we can~" Esdeath said as she leaned down and wrapped her arms around Ruby from behind "that way, our little outing together would get Much more romantic~"
"Essy, We're not having sex on top of this poor Air Mantra." Ruby scolded.
"I wasn't thinking that. Even I wouldn't be that brazen." Esdeath said.
"Good to know." Ruby said.
"But cuddling is still very much on the table~" Then Esdeath cuddled against Ruby.
"Also good to know." Ruby smiled and cuddled back.
"...Wait." Esdeath then suddenly stood up "...finally!"
Ruby looked and also noticed a beach first, and soon enough the rest of the land up ahead.
"We finally made it!" Ruby cheered.
"Now, we just need to get closer to the Capital and go the rest of the way on foot." Esdeath said.
"Oh yeah. We still need to do that." Ruby said, scratching the back of her head.
Somewhere else, Ash was seen stumbling backward out of a room while dodging some object that was thrown at his face.
"O-OKAY OKAY I'll TRY to handle it! calm down!" he then smashed the door closed and pants in and out.
"...I take it your 'Master' Didn't take the news too well?" Then, A feminine voice spoke up from down the hall.
"you saw it yourself." Ash said as he adjusted his glasses.
"Does she really know this Red Reaper this much?" The figure asked.
"pretty much." Ash answered "Any news on the general?"
"Still missing."
"Okay. Continue keeping an eye out around the Capital. Make sure you hear all news that you hear and report back." Ash said as he started to walk away.
"...What are you and your master planning?" The female asked again.
"Ah ah ah~ No spoilers~" Ash sassed "you'll know Soon enough."
"I can't believe how much I missed this road." Ruby said as both she and Esdeath walk through the woods.
"So, Where to first?" Esdeath asked.
"Well, We probably should tell the others you're on our side now." Ruby guessed "Or...I should tell them and you should just go back to the capital right away."
"I have time." Esdeath said, before holding Ruby's hand as they walk "More than enough time~"
Ruby blushed as she holds her hand back "S-So...If we manage to meet up with the others, Promise you'll be at your best behavior."
"Cross my chest and hope to die." Esdeath said.
"It's...Cross my 'Heart' And hope to die." Ruby corrected.
"Oh! So THAT'S how it really was said." Esdeath chuckled.
As they walk for a few minutes, Esdeath suddenly noticed something.
"...We're being followed." Esdeath said.
"What?" Ruby Asked "That's impossible. No one comes around this part of the forest. No one beside...OOOh! Wait it's_"
"NOW!" Then suddenly, Someone dashed between the two and snatched Ruby up and began to run like hell!
"EEEH?!" Ruby gasped.
"Wha?! RUBY!" Esdeath called out as she tried to run after them, Only for 3 trees to be thrown in her way!
"Wait! AKAME! STOP!" Ruby yelled as she tried to wiggled out of Akame's arms.
"What?" Akame asked.
"STOP! Everyone! STOP!" Ruby repeated!
Akame let's her go as they stop running.
"What's wrong with you?!" Leone asked as she and Sheele caught up with them "That crazy Bitch is right behind us!"
"We need to go before she_" Sheele tried to speak.
"No Guys, LISTEN! It's okay!" Ruby said "She won't hurt us!"
"Wha-Are you messed up in the head?!" Leone asked.
"No seriously! She's cool!" Ruby assured.
"Ah. So it was you." They looked back and saw Esdeath casually walking toward them after catching up "Hello there."
"Shit..." Leone said under her breath as she, Akame and Sheele all were on guard.
"Guys, Calm down." Ruby said as she got between them and Esdeath "She's not gonna hurt us."
"...What are you talking about?" Akame asked, as all three of them were confused.
"She's gonna work with us now." Ruby nonchalantly answered.
"...WHAT?!" Leone and Sheele both yelled in shock, while Akame was too stunned to speak.
"...Really?" Leone asked, while all 5 of them were deeper in the forest.
"YuP." Ruby nodded, Popping the 'P'.
"You...Seriously managed to convince her by beating her in a race." Leone repeated.
"It's pretty impressive for you to out-speed someone like her...But..." Sheele started.
"What's Really in it for you?" Akame questioned.
"Simple." Esdeath said as she the Hugged Ruby closely. Far too closely "I Can stay close to my Ruby~"
"YOUR RUBY?!" Leone yelled in anger before she grabbed Ruby's hand and tried to pull her out of Esdeaths Hands "Who said she was YOURS only?!"
"Oh, I am willing to share." Esdeath said with a smug smile, before Pulled Ruby back toward herself "But I'll be the center of her attention."
"Yeah right!" Leone pulled Ruby closer to herself next "Like hell you are!"
"Why shouldn't I?" Esdeath pulled Ruby toward herself again as she kept smiling at Leone as if she was a small little child "I'm not even taking her away from you."
"CAN YOU STOP PLAYING TUG OF WAR WITH ME?!" Ruby desperately yelled. Or rather begged.
"Ruby you can't seriously also be in love with this psycho!" Leone yelled.
"She has a rather violent background." Sheele pointed out.
"And she's the revolutionary army's greatest target." Akame stated.
"But as she said, She wouldn't go back on a deal like ours." Ruby said "I beat her and she lost. fair and square. So per our agreement she now has to work with us."
"Yes. She has stablished that I'm much slower than her." Esdeath admitted "And I wouldn't go back on my word. It would be FAR too cowardly for my tastes."
"And you can stay by Ruby's side too." Akame said.
"Of course. You catch on quick." Esdeath admitted.
"Are we SERIOUSLY letting her have Ruby too?" Leone asked.
"Oh child, I've ALREADY had her~" Esdeath stated, Causing Ruby to flinch.
"...What...does that imply?" Akame asked.
"N-N-N-NOTHING!" Ruby panicked.
"'Nothing'? Why would you call it 'Nothing' Ruby?" Esdeath teased.
"E-Essy please don't do this to_" Ruby tried to beg, but then.
"ESSY?!" Leone yelled In shock "You have a NICKNAME for HER?!"
"Aw crap." Ruby panicked more.
"That's not ALL She gave me~" Esdeath started "She also gave me_"
"Don't you dare_" Leone threatened.
"The most BLISSFUL Night of my life~" Esdeath said, Blushing casually "And, on an abandoned Island, on the beach, under the night sky, against the cool sand with her in charge. It was most Romantic~"
Ruby, shaking in fear, Slowly looks over at the Others.
And they had different reactions:
Akame was staring at her with a deadpan.
Sheele was pouting cutely with her Cheeks puffed.
And Leone's Eye was ticking in sheer rage.
"Seriously?!" Leone yelled.
"L-Look, I_"
"YOU FINALLY TAKE TOP, AND FOR HER?!" Leone continued.
"...I don't know why I expected you to not be concerned with something like that?" Ruby sighed.
"You're such a...a Meanie." Sheele said.
"What does she have that Catches your eye?!" Leone asked.
"...You... don't want me to answer that." Ruby Sweat dropped.
"Why?" Leone asked.
"...I think she's talking about your cleavage." Akame guessed.
"Say what?" Leone asked.
"Oh, You can't tell?" Esdeath spoke up, in a Amused tone "I thought you could see the difference~"
"Oh yeah Right!" Leone said "As if you're telling the truth!"
"L-Leone...she's right." Ruby spoke up, scared for her life "...Esdeath's...are Bigger."
"..." Leone just stares at Ruby, before she stomped toward Esdeath and stands right in front of her, and looks down to compare their breast sizes.
"...I Fucking Hate You." Leone said, Glaring at Esdeath straight in her eyes. And The older woman only looks back, even more Amused.
"Now now, be nice you two." Ruby said as she nervously separated Leone and Esdeath, while chuckling nervously.
"Jokes aside." Esdeath began to talk again "If I was lying, I would have just killed all 3 of you and took Ruby with me with Ease. And I wouldn't resort to Betrayal. It's FAR too low for me."
"She's not wrong." Akame admitted.
"And...She can give us information while she's still undercover with the Empire." Ruby pointed out "We'd be crazy now to have someone like her on our side, AND to pass up an opportunity like this for advantages."
"...Uuuuugh. I hate this, but fine." Leone grumbled.
"Then we should let the others know." Sheele said.
"Yeah. Let's go. I'm starving." Ruby sighed.
"Wait." Esdeath then grabbed Ruby's hand "You're...Gonna come visit me soon, right?"
"...S-Sure. I promise I'll somehow come visit sometime Essy." Ruby nodded, making the girls to pout.
"Thank you." Esdeath said, smiling with a blush "I'll see you soon then."
"Bye." Ruby waved while Esdeath left.
"...So, When were you planning on telling us you also have feelings for Esdeath?" Akame asked.
"...I was really gonna. but...There was so much going on that I kept forgetting." Ruby answered "...You don't hate me for this, do you?"
Suddenly, they all hugged Ruby tightly and closely.
"How could we ever hate you, dummy." Leone said.
"We're just glad you're okay." Sheele said with a little bit of tears in her eyes.
"And if this is really how you like it, then we can at least tollorate Esdeath as well." Akame said.
"W-Wait, We ARE?!" Leone asked, only for Akame to smack her hand across the back of the blondes head "I-I mean, Yeah! We are!"
"...Hehe. Thanks." Ruby said, and hugged them back as well "This means a lot to me."
"So, Let's go back and give the others the good news." Leone said as they broke the hug.
"Yeah...and...let's hope to god Boss won't rip my head off." Ruby said nervously.
"She might." Akame admitted.