CHAPTER 40: KILL THE FOE

With Kurome and Lauren sitting by Budo, the Great General had a hard stare as Wave and Syura stood in the center of the coliseum, in an intense stand off, waiting for Budo's signal to begin their match.

Budo: "Alright. You may begin."

Syura: *grins* "Hey, I'm pissing you off right? Come at me like you did just now. But this time, I'll be ready for you."

Wave: "You don't have to ask me to grind you to a pulp!!"

With that statement, Wave charged at incredible speeds, showing that even without Grand Chariot, he was extremely quick on his feet. Making the first move, Wave sent a punch directed at Syura's gut, however he simply dodged it before retaliating with one of his own. Wave, however managed to catch the attack in his palm. Soon after, he charged Syura, sending a series of punches his way but the Prime Minister's son seemed to just dodge out of the way of them all.

Syura: *smirks* "Hey, hey, do you really think you can grind me to a pulp like this?" He taunted before rearing his fist back and sending a punch right to Wave's chin, upper cutting him and causing him to be pushed back a bit. "Now THIS is how you land a punch!"

Wave grunted as blood ran down his mouth, however with his gaze hardening, he easily caught a punch that Syura was sending his way, taking the young man by surprise.

Wave: "So light." He taunted before retaliating with his own punch to Syura's chest, which sent him flying back. This caught Budo's interest.

Budo: "Oho. I didn't think that youngster would be that strong."

Kurome: *confident* "Wave will win."

Lauren: "Of course he will. He's not the type to let this brat walk all over him."

Budo: "Speaking of, it's not over yet." He was right as Syura had brought himself to a halt, but this time his smile completely vanished from his battered face. "That Syura brat isn't laughing anymore."

With Wave already dashing towards him, Syura put his hands on the ground, doing a handstand before cycloning, spinning around as he kicked Wave right into the neck, sending him crashing to the ground.

Wave: "Bastard..!!"

Syura: "I didn't think I'd have to fight you without holding back. I'll at least compliment you on that, spineless coward!!"

Clicking his tongue in annoyance, Wave got back up and crossed his arms in front of his chest, blocking and tanking the series of rapid jabs and kicks sent by Syura. Eventually he had enough and leaped up a bit before sending a kick right the man's face, however he ducked underneath the attack, retaliating with a kick to Wave's stomach. Spitting out blood, Wave was sent skidding back to a halt as Budo narrowed his eyes.

Budo: "That brat, Syura... He must have traveled around the world meaning..."

Lauren: "He's incorporating every fighting style from around the globe into his own? I hate to compliment the bastard, but that's an achievement not just anyone can achieve.."

Syura: *grins maniacally* Now taste some blood!!!"

He charged, dealing an impactful palm strike to Wave, putting as much force as he could just as he pressed his hands against the Jaeger's chest. The impact created a shockwave that sent Wave flying back and rolling across the ground, where he laid severely injured.

Syura: *punches fists together* "Now this is where the real fun begins. It's by favorite part, death by beat-down."

Budo: "He's close to perfecting his strength.."

Kurome: "But so is Wave." She said smiling confidently. Budo raised an eyebrow in curiosity to her statement just as an enraged Wave slowly stood back up, his jacket falling off and with a cold death glare in his eyes. Syura seemed surprised but sent a punch right in his direction, however Wave quickly ducked under it and sent a hard punch right to his gut. "Our commander praised him, saying that his strength was already perfected."

Lauren: "That's true, Esdeath said that. So in that logic, it doesn't matter how many fighting styles Syura copies, Wave already is stronger."

She said smiling as Kurome smiling as well. Syura however couldn't believe it that Wave was not countering him perfectly with little to no issue at all.

Syura's thoughts: "Can he already read my moves..!?"

Wave's attacks just grew more and more heavy and quicker as he absolutely was beating Syura into a pulp like he said he would. This just enraged him more.

Syura: "Yeah right!! Like I'd lose to a piece of shit like you!!"

However it was already too late for him as Wave connected his final attack to his face, sending him flying into the side of the arena, completely knocking him unconscious.

Budo: "He's unconscious..."

Wave: *wipes blood from his mouth* "Like I'd lose to a bastard like you!" Lauren grinned and hummed in satisfaction while Kurome released a sigh of relief before smiling.

Budo: "You name was Wave, correct? It's your win." The man of the sea looked at the Great General, then at the unconscious Syura, not feeling satisfied as he began walking over to him.

Lauren: "Uh oh..." She mumbled, knowing where this was going to go.

Wave: "No, not yet. He still hasn't suffered enough... He needs to feel the pain inflicted on everyone else... Even if it's just a little more." However before he could even make it to the half way point, Budo was already in front of him, displaying his great speed before slamming the gauntlet portion of Adramelech into Wave's face, sending him crashing to the ground and knocking him unconscious immediately.

Budo: "I have already declared your victory! Do not bathe the palace in blood!"

Kurome: "Wave!" She ran over to him, worry plastered all over her face. As she did, A smile appeared on the Great General's face.

Budo: "They're both impressively strong, but they should focus their energy in suppressing the rebellion." He said as he began walking away.

Lauren: *sighs* "I get hitting him, but did you really have to knock him out dad?" She asked, crossing her arms as she looked at him. Budo halted his moments and glanced back at her, his gaze causing his daughter to straighten up and look away, closing her eyes. However, her eyes reopened in surprise upon feeling the man pat her head surprisingly gently. "E-Eh..?"

Budo: "You have good and powerful teammates Lauren. I can see a bright future for you and the Jaegers. Keep up the good work and make sure to give me grandchildren with that blonde younger." He said with a smile as he walked away. Lauren just blinked before her face became flushed in a deep red blush

Lauren: *heavy blushing* "H-Hey!! Don't say stuff like that out of the blue, dad!!"

>>Time Skip<<

Later, Wave had finally awakening in Kurome's room from his fight with Syura, Kurome was there to help patch his wounds up, however...

Wave: "Ow, ow!! That stings, Kurome!"

Kurome: "You'll have to deal with it. I'm not done yet!"

Wave: "That bastard... He's already powerful enough, even without his status of the Prime Minister's son!"

Kurome: "But... You defeated someone like that." She looked at him, smiling brightly with a blush creeping up on her face. "I'm sorry for calling you weak all this time. I take it all back. You're really strong, Wave!"

The blue-haired Jaeger stared at her, surprised from her words. He remembered the times that both her and Aka ruins would taunt him, calling him weak, and even the little jab Kurome casually threw at him when they were sitting at that café in the capital. So upon hearing her say this, Wave couldn't help but sheepishly smile with a small blush.

Wave: *scratches cheek* "Y-Yeah. As long as you know! And thanks for saving me, Kurome."

Soon the atmosphere inside of the room turned warm and a bit intimate as the two were looking at each other, without any words and with Kurome gently tripping the male's wrist. Kurome couldn't help but think about the feeling of butterflies in her stomach at the moment.

Kurome's thoughts: "This feeling... I haven't felt like this towards anyone besides... Dairoku... Have I.. moved on from him..?"

HOWEVER before anything could proceed, Run came bursting through the door, a look of worry plastered all over his face.

Run: "Wave! Are you alright!?" There was a slight awkward silence as Wave and Kurome looked at the blonde man, the ravenette with a blank expression and her head tilted to one side in confusion.

Wave: "Yeah! Somehow." Run however seemed to have felt the awkwardness and backed up slightly, revealing Lauren right behind him with her hands on her hips.

Lauren: "I told you not to burst into the room like how you did... Cock-blocker."

Kurome: *mumbles* "Cock-blocker 2000..."

Run: "Hrrk..! *scratches chin* Um, I'm sorry... I came in at a bad time..." He mumbled awkwardly as Lauren gave him a deadpan and flicked his cheek lightly.

Wave: "Huh? No! There's nothing wrong, right Kurome?" The response he received however was a deadpan and pout from the ravenette, furthering his confusion.

Kurome and Run: "..."

Lauren: "Dumbass..."

Wave: "Wha!?"

After that... amusing situation, Run and Lauren had entered the room, with the latter preparing some tea on the little table in the center of the room. With Kurome eating her cookies and the other three Masters sipping away at the tea, they began to discuss the situation that occurred.

Run: *sips tea* "So that's what happened."

Wave: "I tried beating some sense into him, but they're still a dangerous group"

Lauren: "It doesn't matter how much you beat him up. He's a big daddy's boy and so long as Honest doesn't do anything, he won't change."

Wave: "What kind of country allows a taskforce like that..?"

Run: "I agree." The three looked at him. "There is something fundamentally wrong with this Empire. It needs to change." He said, his expression darkening as Wave recognized this particular look and tone from the usually friendly blonde.

Wave: "Run, you've been acting weird for a while now."

Kurome: "Isn't it about time you tell us what you've been brooding over?"

Run: "It's nothing too significant..."

Kurome: "The you can tell us, right?" The two both looked at him intensely with Run sweat dropping a bit. Lauren sighed.

Lauren: "No point in hiding it for much longer, Run." He looked over at her, seeing her scoot over to him. "Let's speak our minds for once." He stared at her before looking back at Wave and Kurome before sighing and putting his hands up.

Run: "Fine... Some time ago, in the central area of the capital, in a farming village near Joyou, I was a children's teacher. Joyou's land was fertile and it was a relatively wealthy area. It was also peaceful and well-governed. Our governor took pride in that as well. Because of that, the children were able to focus on studying. And they were quick learners... Their future looked bright. Around that time was when I met Lauren." The red-head nodded before continuing for him.

Lauren: "I was 19 at the time of first meeting him. My baby sister, Nebula was 13 at the time and she was one of Run's students, so naturally, the two of us would meet. But, I guess Nebula told the other kids some exaggerated story about me as once they met me, I was suddenly popular among them. I was flattered, then flustered but soon accepted their company. When Run would take the kids out, he'd normally invite me along, considering how much they loved me; they considered me like their auntie... It was... honestly something I didn't realize I would love...I guess that's why I grew a love for children. But then it happened..." Her expression went dark as Run continued for her.

Run: "One day while Lauren and I were away, the children were all massacred by someone. However, the officials of Joyou wanted to protect their reputation as a safe, peaceful outskirt village. So the entire incident was swept under the rug."

Lauren: "...Nebula... was a part of the massacre... My baby sister, lying in my arms dead, with her blood staining my hands..." She slowly clenched her fists, with Run slowly placing his hand on hers.

Wave: "What!? How could they do that...!?"

Run: "Such things are tolerated in the current state of this Empire. That is why I... *looks at Lauren* we decided to change this Empire. There are two ways to change a country; destroy it from the outside, or correct it from the inside. We chose to correct the Empire from the inside."

Lauren: "If we had chosen option 2, we'd most likely be enemies of you guys; we'd probably be a part of the Revolutionary Army, or even Night Raid."

Kurome: "I see... That was close."

Wave: "How did you end up choosing to change the Empire from the inside?"

Run: "It was because the governor of Joyou was a lady. She took a liking to me and I was able to climb up the ranks quickly, and due to Lauren being Great General Budo's daughter, she was able to climb up the ranks quickly. That is how we obtained our Teigu and Zodiac as well." *thoughts* "Well to be more precise, I seduced her... But I probably shouldn't tell Wave that."

He began to sweat a little upon feeling a piercing stare on him. He looked towards Lauren, who was giving him that infamous stare.

Lauren: "Sttttaaaarrrreeee..."

Run: "B-But it was only a one-time-thing. We're not in a relationship anymore, Lauren." He said, chuckling nervously but the red-head wasn't amused as she crossed her arms and looked away with a pout.

Lauren: "Hmph. Womanizer." Wave just stared in confusion as Run scratched his cheek and chuckled lightly before regaining his straight face.

Run: "Anyways, for the children who died..."

Lauren: "For my little sister who was massacred..."

Both: "We have to keep climbing and obtain power!" Immediately, the blue-haired Jaeger shot up from his seating position and appeared right in front of the duo, smiling brightly.

Wave: "I'm on your side, Run, Lauren! Whether it's a country or a person, something this sick has to be corrected!" The two looked at each other before smiling at the male before them.

Lauren: "Thanks Wave.. That means a lot.. to the two of us."

Run: *nods* "Then first off, you have to stop picking fights with Wild Hunt, especially in plain sight."

Wave: *sheepishly* "Uh... um... Yeah, but we can't just leave them alone..."

Laruen: "Well we don't gotta worry about that. I heard Esdeath's handling the West Nation's Military at incredible speeds. She'll be back soon. And once she's back, Syura will have no choice but to fear the consequences that she'll set for him."

Wave: "Great! That'll make a huge difference!"

Run: "So don't worry, Wave. Please rest up and recover."

>>Short Time Skip<<

Only a few minutes had went by since Lauren and Run's talk with Wave and Kurome. The red-haired female was walking through the corridors through the palace. She couldn't help but think about what Run said to Wave at the end, about picking fights with Wild Hunt in plain sight. She could only think about one thing and if it was true, she wanted something first, before it happened. Standing in front of the blonde's bedroom door, she knocked on it and just a few seconds after, it opened, revealing a curious Run.

Run: "Ah, Lauren. What brings you here?"

Lauren: "Run... can we talk? Just the two of us?" The man blinked a bit but gave her a small smile and nodded.

Run: "Of course."

After leading the female into his room and closing the door behind them, the two sat on the bed, a brief silence occurring before she spoke.

Lauren: "You know... You're predictable."

Run: *raises eyebrow* "Hm?"

Lauren: "Just the way you told Wave not to 'pick fights with Wild Hunt, especially not in plain sight'... That's exactly what you're gonna do right? Only this time discreetly... and you were gonna do it all, without even telling me?" He stared at her, blinking before sighing and looking way. He knew she'd figure him out eventually, and it happened, only a lot earlier than he would have hoped for. Lauren only looked at him, her expression was slightly blank, but her eyes showed hurt, betrayal. "You know how much Nebula means to me... and to rob me of the chance to at least get some form of revenge for her...? Out of everyone, from you..?? How could you Run..? I thought... *sniffles* I-I thought we promised each other.. that we'd do this together... that we'd both make him pay for everything he did..."

Run: "I... I have no excuse for my actions... I-" However, she cuts him off, snapping towards him with her voice cracking and tears falling down her eyes.

Lauren: "Then why Run!? Why would you do this to me... I thought we promised each other..."

He looked at her falling silent. Lauren was one who was known to not cry a lot. Run was the only one that was able to witness her crying. The first time was when Nebula was massacred. Since that event, Run had never seen Lauren shed a single tear. So seeing her cry like this, he knew that he hit a very sensitive nerve. Deciding to make it up to the red-head, he brought her into a comforting and tight hug, causing her to freeze up slightly.

Run: "I'm sorry... I truly am, Lauren... I thought, that since there was a high risk in dying, that I could make sure that you're able to live your life without much worry... But I was wrong... I thought I was helping you... but never stopped to think about your feelings... And for that, I am deeply sorry." Lauren's sobbing fell silent upon him finishing his apology. "If there's any way for me to make it up to you, then I'll do it."

There was a brief silence as Lauren was thinking about what he said, then she came to a conclusion. Breaking the hug, she climbed onto the male's lap, facing towards him with her legs on either side of his waist, her hands gripping his shoulders gently, but firmly. Run was taken by surprise, with a small blush appearing on his face before the female on top of him, slowly pushed him down onto the bed, staring deep into his yellow eyes with her golden ones.

Run: "Lauren-" She cuts him off however.

Lauren: "Shut up... We've been beating around the bush for too long now, and I'm getting tired of it... Considering that WE'RE going into a battle with Teigu and Zodiac, there is a chance that one of us or both of us won't survive... If I die, I want to die with no regrets at all and I know you don't want to either... So please Run... Let's just... enjoy this time together..."

She slowly gripped his hand, interlocking her fingers with his. The blonde male was taken by surprise from her claim, but truthfully, he couldn't deny her. He smiled, taking one of his hands and gently caressing her cheek, wiping her tears away.

Run: "Of course. Anything for you, Lauren..."

Lauren: "Run..."

The atmosphere around them was filled with desire, need and intimacy. The two partners stared deeply into each other's eyes, both smiling a bit before slowly they leaned in, closing their eyes. Then, it happened. Their lips came in contact with one another as they engaged in a blissful kiss. Nothing could separate the two now. They were one with each other, destined soul mates. This kiss however, will soon take things to the next level for the two of them.

To be Continued
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So I'm curious. Do you guys want the lemon of Run and Lauren? Cause I can make it.