Hi!
So, this is my first fanfiction.
Every review is welcomed, but please, be gentle, English is not my first language D:
This fanfiction is the continuation/alternative of the anime.
However, there are a few changes (characters alive/dead, that did not appear in the anime).
These ones will be explained so you won't be confused ; otherwise, consider that eveything that occured in the anime occured in the timeline of this story.
I hope you're not already confused, and that you will enjoy this story !
The day before the assault on the Capital, a tense atmosphere prevailed in the Revolutionary Army's camp.
Every soldier knew the war was about to end, with their victory or their death.
Of course, they had superiority in number, many powerful Teigu users and brave leaders…but in the Capital, Esdeath was waiting for them.
The Butcher, the Strongest of the Empire, the Ice Queen...She had numerous morbid titles, but surely deserved every one of them.
A rumor was scattering among the men : the cruel and devious Prime Minister, Honest, had a secret Teigu in his possession, one so powerful it would easily switch the tables and erase the Revolutionary Army.
At least, everyone agreed to say that he had something up his sleeve, otherwise, why would he let them come to him ?
And so, all the sentinels were on the edge and all the soldiers preparing for the battle. Every one of them was praying not to die but to win and purify the country.
All of them were aware that many would fall the next day.
Tatsumi of Night Raid was lying on a camp-bed in a small tent. The bed was the only furniture in the confined space, as he didn't need anything else.
He was all dressed up, his boots shod, ready to get up and fight anytime, as they already suffered several ambushes along the way.
Several skirmishes occurred, and thanks to the reactivity of what was remaining of Night Raid, they managed to deal with them.
Tatsumi firmed his grip on his small sword, which held the power of his own Teigu, Incursio, the Demon Armor.
He was tring to get some sleep, despite being quite anxious at the idea of facing Esdeath. The Strongest of the Empire loved him, and would've made him her slave if he didn't escape. He already fought her before and knew her power was far above his own…for now.
For a strange reason, he felt stronger, and his senses were sharper for a couple of days. It was like Incursio was giving him more power when he needed it.
Suddenly, his friend and fellow assassin Akame entered the tent without any warning.
But it didn't surprised him ; by now, he was capable of hearing the silent and sneaky walk of Akame.
"Tatsumi, may I come in?"
"You're already in, you airhead."
He get up, and looked at the black haired girl.
She looked like...troubled. She was slightly blushing, her hands behind her back, her gaze avoiding his.
It was the first time he was seeing her like that.
As always, she was wearing her sleeveless mini dress along with a red tie and carrying her Teigu, Murasame.
She was indeed a cutie, with her long black hair and her beautiful red eyes, but was totally unaware of that fact.
Besides, since she had been raised as an assassin, things like love and affinity with the opposite gender were incomprehensible topics to her.
"What is it, Akame? You look...weird. Nervous about tomorrow's battle?"
"...not really. Whoever I'll fight, I'll bury them."
"Hermmm, yeah."
I still have some issues with her saying things like that so easily, he thought.
"So, why did you come here?"
She blushed.
Tatsumi had no idea about what was going on in Akame's head.
I...I can't believe I'm in such a dire situation, she ruminated.
Akame was a former Elite Seven. She was a member of Night Raid, one of the most skilled assassin on earth.
She was capable of killing a man by fifty different ways.
She could survive in the rust with only her bare hands and kill a Danger Beast only using her feet.
And yet, she was unable to convey her feelings towards Tatsumi.
She wanted to tell him that the first time she saw him, she didn't even bother to consider him as a comrade 'cause she was persuaded that he would die soon.
Losing someone you liked was painful, and Akame experienced this pain way too much. She didn't want to grieve again.
But he survived. He survived, and before she knew it, she had become attached to him.
And then, this famous night, after Sheele died, he promised her that he would not die. That together, they would free the country from the oppression.
It was the first time someone spoke to her like that. It was also the first time one of his assassins friends promised her not to die.
None of them made this promise before 'cause they all knew they wouldn't be able to keep it.
But not Tatsumi. He promised her, he had faith in their actions. He really believed he wouldn't die.
And so, she trusted him. Moreover, she entrusted him completely, relied on him...and started to love him. At first, she tried to deny her feelings, since feelings were only a bother in battle.
Plus, she noticed that in their entourage, she was not the only one to look at Tatsumi. Chelsea and Mine did so.
Akame told herself that Tatsumi would be better with cheerful girls like them, as herself was a tool, a weapon made to kill people. Not the kind of girl Tatsumi would want by his side.
But Chelsea and Mine died, like Sheele, Bulat, Lubbock and Susanoo. Only Leone, Najenda, Tatsumi and herself remained.
Akame decided that since they could die anytime, she'd better confess her feelings to Tatsumi while they were still alive.
There lied the problem : when it came to assassinate, Akame was indeed the very best. But in love, she was an absolute zero...
I...I'm totally paralyzed ! Is it the action of a deadly poison? I can't even properly speak...
Cornered, embarrassed and afraid, Akame had only one option left.
She flipped the switch inside her and entered her "bury mode".
"I love you."
Her tone was cold as death, her gaze sharp enough to cut through a full plate armor.
It was the only way to make her confession, but it had the opposite effect on Tatsumi.
Is it a threat? he wondered, too scared to be embarrassed. I believe she said "I love you", but her eyes, tone and aura were all saying "I'll bury you". Did I do something wrong?!
Tatsumi didn't know how to react.
"S-say again?"
Akame realized her mistake, and became red as her gauntlets.
Geez, why can't I express everything I feel? Why can't I tell him that I love him, that I want him to come back alive as he promised, and...and all this stuff I don't even understand !
"I...love you", she repeated with her normal voice.
"Oh, I like you too, Akame", Tatsumi answered. "I like you the same way I like the others, you know? Don't worry about it!"
Her hopes quickly gone, Akame tried to stay firm.
"I s-said l-love, n-not l-like..."
"Huh?"
It was too much for her. As she understood that trying to talk it out wasn't going to work, she let her instict drive her.
She quickly advanced, one, two, three steps, embraced Tatsumi...
And kissed him.
It was her first kiss, but she managed to put all her passion into it.
She liked it, though she was afraid of not being "skilled" in this matter.
It was only when she released him, panting and blushing, that she thought that maybe it was a little bit too direct.
"Do...you understand?" she asked timidly.
"A-A-A-Akame...Th-This is too sudden, I...I..."
She was disappointed, but understood he was embarrassed ; she was too!
Now wasn't the best time to confess her love for him, like that, without any warning.
"I know, she said. Just...promise me that you will think about it and give me a proper answer, okay?"
Tatsumi recovered his mind, despite being still confused and shaked by what just happened.
"Yeah. I promise you."
He laughed.
"I already promised you to come back alive, so I guess I'll have to keep that one too!"
Akame smiled warmly. She knew he would keep his word.
Tatsumi would never go back on his word.
Why…why do I recall all of this now? Why, as I am fighting, the only thing I can think about is…Akame?
Tatsumi was not exactly fighting.
Less a minute ago, he defeated the almighty and ultimate Teigu, Shikoutazer, with the help of Wave the former Jaeger.
Together, they crushed the giant robot-like Teigu commanded by the Emperor who was about to destroy the entire Capital.
But the massive armor started to fall towards wounded civilians.
Tatsumi could not let this happen, would not let this happen ; so, with all the speed and power granted by Incursio, he flew and tried to prevent this from happening.
The demon armor he wore had evolved and merged with him, his body, his burning feelings.
This evolution which allowed him to defeat Shikoutazer increased all of his abilities, gave him wings and made him look like a dragon.
Putting all his might and forces in his effort, Tatsumi tried to push back the giant armor.
But all his efforts were not enough.
Incursio, the Demon Dragon Armor, had been made to protect his user and grant him enhanced strength. It allowed him to use a special spear, Neuntote and would even evolve to adapt to unexpected situations.
However, it was certainly not designed to stop a robot so tall that it touched the sky and large as a little mountain.
And so, despite all his power, Tatsumi was inexorably falling, crushed under the weight of the massive Teigu.
If I don't stop this thing here and now, the people down there will die. But if I continue like this, I probably will die too.
Fear seized him. The fear that everyone would feel on verge of dying.
You can be as brave as you want, but when it comes to die, your primal instinct will do everything it can to keep you alive.
I don't want to die. I don't want to die. I want to live, I want to live with Akame, I want to kiss her again, I want to say her "I'm back", I want to see her smile…
All he had to do to see her again was to give up. Move away from the trajectory of Shikoutazer, let it fall…
Let it kill all these men, women and children.
But if he did that, he knew he could never forgive himself.
Fuck...Having ideals really sucks, right?!
And so, he gave it all to push back the supreme Teigu.
"OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!"
Gathering all his strength, transforming his passion into brute power, Tatsumi pushed harder.
Incursio did not remain insensitive to Tatsumi. It reacted to his feelings, and gave him more power.
That's it. I need more…more power to live, more power to protect the innocents, more power to save this country! So…I need you…
"INCURSIOOOOOOOOOOOO!" he roared.
He was already wearing the armor, but he felt that calling the Teigu would give him more power.
Was it his scream? His feelings? Or did the armor just decided to grant his request?
He didn't know, but the instant he screamed, a blue aura enveloped him and for the first time, he felt he was slowing down the fall of the giant armor.
Little by little, it was slowing. At this rate, he would be able to save the civilians…
Suddenly, a loud "crac" resounded.
Did Shikoutaze break? he thought at first.
Then, he saw a mist of blood. His own blood, leaking from his elbows.
It can't be…
When an element is subject to pressure, the most fragile part breaks first and between Incursio and his body, the result was obvious.
The pain flowed like a tsunami though his arms.
"GWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"
Tatsumi couldn't help but scream. However, he didn't stop nor tried to flee ; he kept pushing, despite the intense suffering.
Not only his elbows, but all the joints of his upper body were breaking one by one.
Incursio began to crumble too, piece by piece.
A brutal shock almost made him lost consciousness. He realized that he finally touched the ground, but the mass of Shikoutazer was still pushing him towards the civilians.
In a despaired effort, Tatsumi rotated, pressed his back against the head of the giant Teigu and planted his feet in the ground.
And now, his lower body was beginning to ploy. His knees, his ankles, and muscles he didn't even know the existence were tearing apart.
"Aaaa….AAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
He looked at Incursio. The part that protected his face was gone, as well as a third of the armor.
More blood. Blood in his eyes, on his face, on all his members. Warm blood, yet, it felt so cold.
After an eternity of pain which in reality lasted less than a minute, it finally stopped.
Shikoutazer's course, the pain, the fatigue.
No. All of his sensations were gone. He was hardly conscious, but a feeling of accomplishment rose inside of him.
I did it. I did it.
He was in position of crucifixion, his arms and legs spread, his back pressed against the head of the giant Teigu.
Ten meters before him, men and women were staring at this stunning sight with astonishment.
They were safe, though.
It is all that matters. But…I'm badly hurt, aren't I?
His eyes caught a swift movement. A person graciously landed in front of him.
It was Akame.
Akame was calm in appearance, but a storm of feeling was raging inside her.
A part of her only wanted to embrace Tatsumi and get him a doctor as soon as possible.
But her "assassin part" told her to continue her mission, kill Esdeath, Honest, and all the scums that corrupted the Empire.
The indecision was paralyzing her. Which choice should she make?
Her first love or her mission?
Plus, every second that passed was lost time.
What should I do?
It was probably the first time of her life where she found herself in such a hesitance.
As she was glancing at Tatsumi, she noticed all the blood that covered his body as well as his crushed armor.
A chill ran through her.
Suddenly, Tatsumi moved.
Akame…
It was her. It was really her.
I must tell her…
He gathered all his will and leftovers of his forces and made one step.
This single step almost broke him.
He managed to step again, and fell…right in the arms of Akame.
She reacted by instinct the moment she saw him fall and rushed to catch him.
A single look to his wounds sufficed.
He is not gonna make it.
This thought was like a punch to the heart.
Still, she was hoping. This was a desperate hope, like the child who thinks that his dead mum will come back to life if he prays hard enough.
The last time she had this kind of hope was when her friend of Elite Seven, Cornelia, had been killed by an assassin of the Oarburgh Clan.
Gently, she laid down Tatsumi on the ground. His green eyes, which once were beautiful and lively, were now dull, their shine fading.
With a voice so low that she merely heard it, he whispered :
"I'm…sorry. Looks like…I'm gonna have…to go back…on my word."
Akame remembered the night he made him this promise. She remembered his very words.
Let me promise you again : I will not die! I vow never to make you grieve! he had said, smiling with his flashing grin and his eyes sparkling.
She was crying then and was crying now but not for the same reasons.
Pain, sadness, anger were raging inside her.
"You promised me! You said you'd come back alive!" she exclaimed. "And…"
Her tears were flowing like an unstoppable rain, troubling her vision, falling on the face of the one she loved.
It was an error as an assassin, as a fighter, but she didn't care.
She had realized Tatsumi was not only a comrade.
He was the only one she had fallen for until now. Although she didn't understand her own feelings, she wanted to do so with him by her side.
"You promised me…you would give me an answer…"
"Akame?..."
She looked at him, surprised. In his state, he could normally not be able to talk, yet…
Was there still hope, after all?
His injuries were bad, too bad in fact, but maybe if she took him to the camp… Tatsumi was tough and so was his will…
"Akame…you here?"
"Yes!" she exclaimed.
"…good."
He coughed, spilled blood.
"When I said…I'd go back on my word…I didn't mention which one…"
Her heart was racing. She did not understand.
"So… I wanted to…at least…give you an answer…"
He coughed again, more violently this time. His face was expressing pain, but curiously, his eyes were peaceful.
"I…love you."
These three words made Akame happy. Truly happy. She didn't know why, but she was truly happy.
There is so much I don't know.
She chased her thoughts, and began to think about the best way to move him without hurting him more.
Strange fact, what was left of his armor disappeared in a silver mist.
She could now see all his injuries. His clothes were all covered of blood as well as his face.
"I..I love you too…Tatsumi…don't die… It'll be ok…"
She leaned over him, and kissed him, but this time, he did not return the kiss.
The taste of his blood on her tongue, she dived into his eyes. For some reason, they seemed kinda gloomy.
I should bandage him…he's still losing blood…
"Akame?"
"Tatsumi, stop speaking…you have to rest..."
"Akame…why don't you answer?..."
"What? I…"
"Akame…please… Talk to me… It's so cold and dark here…please..."
Her chest was hurting. She was still crying. She wanted to punch to make him realize she was by his side, but couldn't.
"Tatsumi…I'm here…right here…"
"…"
"Tatsumi?"
But this time, Tatsumi remained silent.
Akame shrieked. Her scream, expressing her pain, the pain of losing her comrade, no, her lover, lasted for seconds, scaring the rare peoples that dared to come near her.
And at the moment her scream ended, an emotionless voice resounded.
"Tatsumi's…dead."
Akame recognized the voice's owner.
It was the Strongest of the Empire.
Esdeath.
"Tatsumi's…dead."
Esdeath, the Ice Queen, the Strongest of the Empire, had arrived seconds ago.
Her arrival had made every man and woman left in the street flee. Now, there was nobody excepted Akame, Tatsumi's corpse, what was left of Shikoutazer and Esdeath herself.
"Tatsumi died because he was weak", she added. "That's all there is to it."
Her voice was monotonous, calm, but to Akame's ears, her statement sounded…false. As if she didn't believe what she just said.
Esdeath drew her rapier and adopted a combat stance.
"Now stand up and entertain me, Night Raid."
Akame was still in the eye of the storm.
She wanted to let go, continue to cry, scream and mourn over Tatsumi's death.
But on the other hand, she knew she had to kill Esdeath. For the sake of the country, for the cause Tatsumi gave his life.
A tough choice, again.
"Don't you intend to fight?"
Esdeath stepped in her direction, pointing her blade at her.
Akame made her decision. Tatsumi would fight, and so would she. But as she was about to get up and attack, she saw Tatsumi's chest rise and fall.
It was so sudden and ephemeral that she doubted her vision.
Gently, she caught his wrist and put two fingers on, looking for a pulse.
After several seconds, she felt one. So tiny, so weak...but Tatsumi was still alive.
No. Tatsumi was about to die. It was a matter of minutes, probably less.
Ignoring Esdeath, Akame focused on the situation.
Even with her full speed, she could not reach the camp of the Revolutionary Army ; even if she did, finding a doctor able to save her lover's life would take too much time, taking into account all the wounded that were probably already swarming in the camp.
Knocking at every door of the city, hoping to find decent help was way too random. There were little chances that the common citizens kept medical furniture at home.
If she had one hour, she could do something, but she didn't have enough time…or instead, Tatsumi didn't.
If only I could earn him some… she thought. Anything…
"If you don't want to fight, then I'll just kill you…after some torture experiments. I want at least to have fun with you."
Esdeath's voice brought her back to reality and gave her an idea.
It was not possible for Akame to stop the time.
But for Esdeath, it was possible to stop Tatsumi's time. If she froze him, he would remain in the same state, alive, until she'd find someone to treat him. In theory.
Now…how in the world am I going to convince her?
She suddenly felt the cold steel on her neck.
"So…what am I going to do to you? ~"
"Esdeath, freeze Tatsumi, now!" shouted Akame.
"Did you just give me an order, you weakling?" blurted Esdeath, cocking an eyebrow.
From her position, Akame trying to give her orders as she had her rapier pointed on her neck was quite the surprise.
"If you don't, he'll die!"
"And? If he dies, he's weak. Weaklings don't live. That's how the world works."
Akame gritted.
This twisted bitch's reasoning…
"You loved him, didn't you?" she said, turning back to face her nemesis despite the blade still threatening her. "He told us! If you really love him, you must be ready to do anything for him, don't you?"
Esdeath blinked.
"I do love him", she admitted. "Even if love is quite new to me…"
She hesitated, but quickly recomposed.
"But loving him won't change me nor my principles. I live to fight, love to fight. My place is on battlefields…and in torture chambers."
"You can fight anywhere, anytime…but you will never meet someone like Tatsumi again! Humanity always fights…there will always be wars on Earth."
"Yes, that's great for me…wait, what is your point?
"Didn't you hear me? I'm saying that wherever you go, you will be able to find battles, slaughters and combats… But love? Is it so easy to find? Did you find someone else to replace Tatsumi in your heart? I'm sure no, because he's the only one like that! Will you waste your only chance to get him back for fights that you can find everywhere?!"
Esdeath didn't answer. She was staring at Akame.
"You're telling me that you are requesting my help?" she finally asked. "Why? And why would you want to save him? Is he so important to you?"
Akame bit her lip. If she told Esdeath that she loved him and he loved her, she would refuse to save him. Or, she would kill her on the spot and take Tatsumi away.
Her only way to convince Esdeath was to make her believe that Tatsumi may choose her. After all, even if he rejected her many times, she still believed that he would fall in love with her, one way or another.
This illusion was her mistake, her weakness. Tatsumi would never love someone like that…would he?
That thought worried Akame during a moment, but she quickly chased it.
"You're the only one who can do that", Akame said. "I can't say that I'm happy to ask you to do so. But Tatsumi is one of my comrades. All I've done until now was taking life. I want to at least save one. My friend's one."
Esdeath closed her eyes. It looked like she was still hesitating, and her hesitation was slowly killing Tatsumi.
"DO IT!" Akame yelled. "Every second is a threat to his life…You love him? SAVE HIM! You want him to love you, don't you?! Behind your cold behavior, I know you want it!"
Meanwhile, Esdeath was arguing with herself.
Since she was child, she lived by the sword and by one rule : if you're weak, you don't deserve to live.
Even her own father told her that before he died. He did not blame fate or his weakness : he accepted the fact that he was not strong enough to survive.
But Tatsumi…Tatsumi's smile…Tatsumi's laugh, Tatsumi's nature… They gave her chills, waves of pleasure and timidity.
She never experienced that before. In addition…she needed more. More of these feelings. More of…Tatsumi.
But was she ready to abandon her lifestyle, her philosophy for that? The principles she built her own existence on…
Still, Akame's words touched her to the heart. Tatsumi was not replaceable.
She knew that. When he escaped, Ran came to her and proposed to look for boys like him.
She immediately refused, because, deep inside her, she knew there was no one like him in the entire world.
So, she's right… I guess I truly love him and want him by my side… My submissive lover and partner in war. How pleasant would that be…
Without a word, she raised her hand, and ice recovered Tatsumi's body, making Akame step back.
"Now, Akame, tell me…why should I let you live? I don't need you".
"You need me", Akame replied with force. "I have acquaintances in the Revolutionary Army and all around. I know people and more importantly, a famous doctor. You don't have anything left. The Empire is done. By now, I guess the Emperor has been captured and Prime Minister Honest killed."
"Mff. I could just threat the ones I need, or kill everyone until they obey me."
"If you start rampaging, they will fight you, even if it means their death. You have no choice but to accept my help."
Esdeath pondered.
I still need to recover from my previous battles… Engaging a large scale fight now wouldn't be a good idea. In fact, she's right, again. It will be easier for me to let her do… After all, if she tries anything, I'll kill her right away.
"Deal. But…Tatsumi is mine. We'll save your comrade, but once we're done, we'll part away…And I'll take Tatsumi. If you try to betray me or play a dirty trick, I'll make sure you die slowly and then, I'll track and kill every last of your companions. I still owe Najenda for my subordinates' death…" she smirked.
Akame had no choice but to agree with her terms. Any other answer would have started a fight.
If she died, she couldn't be with Tatsumi. If Esdeath died, Tatsumi would die too.
Her only option was to lie and feign to submit to her conditions.
She took a quick look at Murasame.
If we come to that, I'll have no choice but to bury her…
She was already betraying her cause by letting Esdeath live. She did not want to cause more trouble.
Still, she didn't have the slightest idea of how she was going to deal with this situation.
Suddenly, Esdeath smiled, like nothing happened between them.
"So, where are we going? To the Revolutionary Army headquarters?"
"Are you idiot? If they see you there, they'll try to kill you right away!"
"Unless I kill them before."
"If you start a melee, Tatsumi will be in danger. Do so, and I'll kill you."
"Damn, you're right. I don't have the habit of planning something while taking care of someone…what do you suggest?"
"We need a safe place, where we can rest and make up a strategy. Are you sure your ice will hold? And, will Tatsumi be okay?"
Esdeath laughed.
"Don't worry. As long as I'm alive, this ice won't break by accident, and everything inside is perfectly protected. I captured Danger Beasts for Honest before."
Akame let out a sigh of relief, but quickly pulled herself. It wasn't over. It was only the beginning.
"I may have an idea. Follow me, and keep low profile. We don't need another slaughter."
"Let me warn you. I'll do as you say for Tatsumi's sake. But don't take the habit of giving me orders. You might regret it one day."
And so, the two most dangerous women in the world left the destroyed alley.
Right after that, Akame found a soldier of the Revolutionary Army and ordered him to tell Najenda that she was hunting corrupted scums.
With that, I'll be able to act without people looking for me, she thought when the messenger departed.
They managed to leave the Capital, taking advantage of the chaos that caused the battle and the surrender of the Imperial troops.
On Akame's decision, they ran up to the mountains located at the north of the Capital.
Suddenly, Akame stopped. Esdeath, who was carrying the ice block with Tatsumi's body in it, raised an eyebrow.
"What's going on?"
"There is a small stream two steps from here, and the forest is near. Good place to camp."
Esdeath laughed.
"I'm pretty sure that with your stamina, you don't need to rest. Neither do I, by the way. So why do we stop now?"
"Because it's getting dark, and I don't know where we're heading."
"What?"
Esdeath carefully laid down Tatsumi's prison, and gave Akame a cold glance.
"You told me you had a plan. And now, you don't know where we're heading?"
"I told you I had an idea. I know people who might help us, but I don't know exactly where they are. So…"
"I get it", achieved Esdeath. "We'll find them tomorrow."
"Yes."
Esdeath sighed.
"I see. Let's camp here, in that case."
"Help me build a campfire."
"Don't fucking give me orders. Why do you need a campfire? We're fine without one."
"I want cooked meat."
Several moments later, they were both eating large portions of meat provided by an unlucky tiger-like Danger Beast which was passing by.
What a weird situation, realized Akame while chewing. The Strongest of the Empire and me eating together, with the man we both love caged in ice next to us.
She was used to silence. However, she needed to talk to someone. After all, the Empire had finally fallen. With the help of thousands of men and women, she finally achieved her goal.
So, what now? I'm sure Najenda will need my help, in a way or another. In definitive, things haven't changed for me. I will continue to fight for the sake of what we wish to build.
She was still going to wield Murasame and bury her foes, foes of the country.
But deep inside her, she had another vision. A vision of a different future where she could drop her sword.
A future with Tatsumi, where she could learn to really live.
I don't know if he will even survive. First things first, I have to save him from death…and then, from Esdeath.
She still didn't figured how she could subtract him from the grip of the Ice Queen.
The best solution would be that he'd tell her himself that he'd prefer to be with Akame.
But if he does, she will probably try to kill me. And even with my trump card, I don't know if I can handle her.
She looked at Esdeath, who was peacefully yet consciously eating her share. Noticing her gaze, she lifted her head.
"So, how do you plan to save Tatsumi?"
"We're going to a safe place, where we can leave him. Then, we search for a doctor."
Esdeath rolled her eyes.
"Are you playing dumb? Oh, no, don't tell me you're really that idiot…"
"What?"
"Don't you think that I didn't check his condition? Because of my hobbies, I had multiples occasions to study the human body. I practiced multiple dissections. Even on one of your friend, the pretty girl who ended up as a lollipop..."
Akame's grip on Murasame stiffened.
"Mention Chelsea again and I'll bury you."
"I'd like to see you try", said Esdeath in a smooth voice. "What was I talking about? Ah, yes, human bodies."
She cleared her throat.
"Tatsumi's one is almost entirely broken. From what I've seen, he lost two-thirds of his blood, if not more. His articulations are crushed, and I suspect he has a severe head injury. To speak frankly, it's a miracle that he is still alive. I only used my eyes, so my estimations are maybe wrong...but I'm pretty sure they aren't."
"What is your point?"
"I'm telling you that your primitive doctors that merely know to stitch wounds won't be able to save him. The only one who could save him is Stylish, and he's dead…thanks to you, I believe."
She paused, then added :
"Well, talking about it won't settle things. Let's do as you advise…for now."
"I thought you would take command."
Esdeath laughed, but her laugh didn't make it to her eyes.
"I would have… If only I had an idea. For now, I just want Tatsumi not to die."
Akame curtly changed the topic.
"Why do you love Tatsumi?" she questioned.
Esdeath finished her meat and removed her cap. Her long, blue hair cascading down gave her a somewhat mysterious yet deadly look.
"Why should I tell you, Night Raid?"
"I wonder how a monster like you could fall in love with someone like Tatsumi."
"Ha ha ha, I see your point."
She raised her head, looking at the night's glassy sky.
"I fell for him the second I saw him smiling. It hit me like a thrust to the heart. He had an aura…but not only. After that, I found out that he had a strong resolve, a pure mind... His passion is so…hot. Plus, he has a sparkle in the eyes that is beautiful. The question should not be 'why do I love him' but rather 'how can I not love him'. He is a warrior, but a strong, pure, beautiful warrior."
Akame understood these reasons. More or less, they were the same as hers.
Simultaneously, they looked at Tatsumi's corpse.
His eyes were still open. This fact gave the feeling that he was already dead, but Esdeath assured that it wouldn't cause any medical issue to him.
However, his two emeralds had lost their brave shine.
Hold on. I'll…no, we'll save you.
Without any warning, she laid down on the ground and prepared to sleep.
Even if she didn't believe that Esdeath would flee during night, she kept an eye open just in case.
Confident assassins don't last. Better be paranoiac than dead.
As she was half sleeping, half awake, she saw something so unbelievable that she thought it was part of her dreams : Esdeath, caressing Tatsumi's ice cage, a painful expression on her face.
The next morning, she had forgotten this odd sight.
They quickly ate the leftovers of meat, then left, with Esdeath still carrying Tatsumi as he was a sacred relic.
They walked hours on small, rocky trails in the mountains and didn't meet anyone ; humans were not common in this area and Danger Beasts avoided them due to Esdeath's aura.
Finally, Akame spotted a lonely, small wooden house, on a mountain's top nearby.
She signaled it to Esdeath and both of them marched in its direction.
Suddenly, a silhouette shown at the doorstep, holding a sword.
"Hey, who…Wow, Akame?! What are ya doing here? And who's with …GENERAL?!"
Esdeath looked at the young man who was wearing a blue leather jacket.
"Wave", she smiled. "How surprising."
I guess it was predictable... Wave is making is come-back ! I always liked him.
This chapter was rather difficult, because trying to imagine Akame and Esdeath chatting is...hard.
I hope it gave a "good" impression despite being against nature !
By the way, I have some pretty good ideas for what happens next...
You know, the kind of badass stuff that gives you chills when you write it.
If you have any note, observation, advice, thing you didn't like, please tell me in the reviews!
Or if you have an idea that would be cool in the story, go on!
As always, please drop a review to tell me if you liked it or not, it is very important to me!
Guess it's time to say goodbye, I'm gonna take my breakfast.