(Tatsumi's POV)

Mine: "Ah..."  she grunted in pain as the food fell from her spoon and back to the bowl. Akame then took the spoon and scooped it up before holding it in front of Mine.

Akame: "Mine..."

Mine: "Leave me be. I can eat on my own, you know."

Akame: "Mine... I'm trying to help. Please..."  Mine took a look at her broken arm and sighed.

Mine: "Alright, alright..."

I looked back at them, feeling deeply sorry for Mine... Then I looked to see Dairoku sitting on a chair away from the table; he was holding in his hand, Sheele's glasses which were in good condition and he was just staring at it... His left arm turned out to be broken like Mine's but due to the adrenaline he felt yesterday, he didn't notice and could use it just fine... It wasn't in a cast like Mine's arm, because unlike her, he had enhanced healing. With it, Akame estimated that he would be healed up in no time... Kuraime was next to him, her hand on his shoulder.

Kuraime: "Big Bro..."

Dairoku: "I'm... fine Kuraime... Just... need a little more time..."  His voice sounded completely void of all emotion... His crimson eyes were dull... He sighed before hooking Sheele's glasses on his shirt and getting up.  "I'm going to go visit her... I'll be back soon..."  He put his hood on his head before walking away...

The base had been in a much quieter and somber mood ever since what happened to Sheele... It's... strange... Sheele has been killed... and yet, Akame and Kuraime are so calm and indifferent about it... Maybe they're just... used to it by now... Dairoku, on the other hand... well... I don't think I've ever seen him so distant... ever... When he came back the night Sheele was killed, he was like a completely different person...

(Flashback)

After Aniki had punched me, we stopped our argument from the sound of footsteps... We looked towards where Mine came from, and... there he was... Dairoku was walking towards us... But... What was worst... is that in his arms, was the body of Sheele... She was missing her left arm and her Teigu was nowhere to be seen... Her skin was so pale... yet she dawned a smile... The biggest shock however was Dairoku's face... His hood was over his head, causing the shadow to linger over his now dull crimson eyes... There were no tears on his face... just markings... Tear markings... and way too many at that...

Kuraime: "Big Brother..."

She mumbled as Dairoku walked past us, holding Sheele's body in silence...We all decided to follow him... Dairoku ended up creating a casket using Barbatos power to encase Sheele's body before letting it drift along the ocean...

CHAPTER 7: KILL THE EMOTIONS

(Dairoku's POV)

HERE LIES SHEELE
AN ASSASSIN FROM THE GROUP NIGHT RAID WHO FOUGHT HARDLY FOR A BETTER EMPIRE.
REST IN PIECE

That's was the grave stone said... I sat in front of it in silence on the snowy ground underneath the full moon above... I haven't mourn this badly for anyone since Cornelia and Tsukushi and that was a long time ago... I clutched Sheele's glasses in my hand tightly as I stared at her grave... It was the only thing I had left of her... But... I know for a fact when we find the whereabouts of Extase, I'll get it back, one way or another...

Dairoku: "Sis... Why... Why did it have to be you...?"

I couldn't stop asking myself that question... Why did it have to be Sheele...? She was so kind hearted, so pure... She deserved nothing like she got... But... then again... It's a risk when you take up the mantle of an Assassin... Death... And in that battle, there were three Teigu and two Zodiacs... so one was bound to die... I just wish it wasn't Sheele... That Seryu bitch and that Lauren... they're going to pay dearly for killing a person I love...

Dairoku: "I promise you sis... Your death will not be in vain... I will avenge you...!"

I clutched her glasses tightly as I said that... As much as I wanted to cry, I just couldn't anymore... I exhausted all of my tears from the previous nights of me crying... I've been getting physically weaker by the day as well... I don't even remember the last time I consumed blood... I know I need to survive... but I can't even bring myself to do it... All I have on my mind, was Sheele...

>>Later<<

(Akame's POV)

I couldn't sleep tonight so I was on my way to the kitchen to probably get a snack... but at the same time, I wanted to have a tribute to Sheele... I was about to enter the kitchen when I hear the voices of Kuraime and Tatsumi...

Tatsumi: "Kuraime...? A midnight snack?"

Kuraime: "No... This was Sheele's favorite meal..."  I peaked around the corner and what she was holding was indeed Sheele's favorite meal... 

Kuraime: "I might not have known my big sister for long... but I at least know her favorite meal..."  She looked down...  "Since we work in the shadows... Big sis' name will never be recorded in the history of the revolutionary army... So I have to remember more things about her than anyone else... She may have been a bit of an airhead, but she was the kindest one of us all... She was my Big Sister..."

Tatsumi: "I understand... You're doing the same thing as me when I offer flowers to Sayo and Ieyasu, right?"

Kuraime: "Yes..."

Tatsumi: "But... in all honestly... You're amazing Kuraime... In fact, both you and Akame are amazing..."

Kuraime: "Hm?"

Tatsumi: "You both keep composed even thought one of our comrades have died... I guess you're used to it by now though... But me, I'm still-"  Suddenly, Kuraime's grip on the plate vanished as it fell to the floor and shattered...

Kuraime: "C-Composed...?"  her hands began to shake...  "Used to it...?"

Tatsumi: "Kuraime...?"

Suddenly, Kuraime grabbed him by the collar, causing her trench coat to fall off...

Kuraime: "Sure, I might have seen many lives fall before my eyes... However..."  She looked up at him, tears streaming down her eyes...  "ONE OF MY PRECIOUS FRIENDS DIED! MY BIG SISTER DIED!!! THERE'S NO WAY YOU CAN EVER GET USED TO THIS KIND OF PAIN!!!"  she screamed in a painful and tearful tone, shocking Tatsumi... 

Kuraime: "But these feelings will have an impact on our next mission so I go around act like I'm just fine! But I'm not!! I'M NOT AT ALL!!! We work in the shadows! What would I do if I couldn't switch gears...!!? *sniffling* And you... call this being composed...?"

Tatsumi: "I..."

Kuraime: "How am I supposed to feel about Big Sis's death...? HOW AM I!? TELL ME, TATSUMI!!!"  she just buried her face into his chest and began to sob...

I knew exactly how she felt... but... she did have a closer bond with Sheele... I felt my eyes burning as tears escaped them... However, a loud thud re-caught my attention... When I looked back, Tatsumi had punched himself and was on the ground as Kuraime looked on in shock...

Kuraime: "W-What are you doing, Tatsumi!? Are you okay!?"

Tatsumi: "Yeah... Just switching gears, is all, but don't worry about it."  He got up...  "Anyway, I want to apologize, Kuraime. I was thoughtless... And I'll make you this promise."

Kuraime" "A... P-Promise...?"

Tatsumi: "Yeah..."  He clenched his fists and gained a determined look.  "I promise you I won't die! I'll keep on living, just so that you won't have to experience this pain ever again!!!"  my eyes widened from his statement as Kuraime's did the same, only thing is she had a heavy blush on her face...

Kuraime: "T-Tatsumi..."

Tatsumi: "We'll live to see the day the new country is created. We'll see everyone's smiling faces on that day."  Kuraime smiled and began to wipe her tears.

Kuraime: "Yeah. I'll like that. Thank you, Tatsumi."

He smiled and held his fist out to her. Seeing the gesture, she returned it and the two ended up fist bumping... After a while, the two went to their rooms and I made my way into the kitchen, however, before I could make it very far, I heard the door to the base opening. I knew it had to be Dairoku, since he wasn't in the base.

Akame: "Dairoku, you're-"  I stopped myself upon looking at his condition... My eyes widened as I saw his eyes looking strained, and him limping like he couldn't go on... Finally, his body gave up and he began to fall, though I quickly ran over to him.  "Dairoku!!"

I caught him and set him down on the nearby couch before I quickly checked him, only to see that he was unconscious and very pale... He hadn't drank any blood since the fight and from what Mine told us, Barbatos was increasing his Power significantly when he snapped... but judging from his fight with Zanku, 'Boosting' his power drains his Life force... He was unconscious bad so I can't give him blood normally... Luckily though, since he requires less blood when taking from someone who he has a close bond with, he won't need much blood from me, since it's much more effective.

I bit my lip enough so that I would draw enough blood from myself before I opened Dairoku's mouth... and... well... you know... I kissed him, to transfer the blood to him. This was the third time our lips made contact... the first was before he... 'died' and well... you already know the second time... Though I never realized how soft his lips were......

Upon feeling him swallow my blood, I pulled away and watched him. Though unlike last time, he woke up, almost immediately.

Dairoku: "Akame...?"

Akame: *sighs in relief* "Again, I had to save you at the last second. You really have a habit of getting yourself injured, huh?"  He looked at me confused before he sat up and noticed Sheele's glasses, which were hanging from his shirt...

Dairoku: "Oh... Thanks..."  He fell silent again, causing me to worry for him.

Akame: "Are you okay?"

Dairoku: "I'm fine..."  That wasn't very convincing...

Akame: "Do you... want anything to drink?"

Dairoku: "Not really..."  I was starting to get frustrated with him.

Akame: "Dairoku, are you really feeling alright?"

Dairoku: "Of course I am..."

Akame: "Liar."  He flinched a bit and glanced at me... I could see the pain and sorrow in his eyes... I looked saddened before I hugged him tightly, burying my head into his shoulder.

(Play Song)

Dairoku: "A-Akame...?"

Akame: "Please... I beg you... Don't leave me again... You have no idea how much it hurts me to see you like this..." 

Dairoku: "...Akame... I-"

I just couldn't take it anymore. I looked up at him and smashed my lips against him, taking him by surprise. I guess the force of my move was so much that it caused him to fall backwards back onto the couch, with me on top of him. I pulled away slightly and looked at him, blushing madly...

Dairoku: *blushing* "A-Akame..."

Akame: *blushing* "I don't want to lose you again Dairoku.... I don't know what I'd do if I lost you again....."  Tears were steaming down my eyes as I looked into his eyes...

Dairoku: "I-"

I didn't even give him he chance to speak again as I kissed him again, more forcefully and passionately than before while wrapping my arms around his neck. Again, he froze up, however he melted into it and began pouring his passion into it while wrapping his arms around my waist... So there we were... Kissing on the couch like we're a couple who are madly in love with each other... Though that question still stands...... 

"What are we?"

END
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HA! No Lemon for you Degens yet! Though that's a good question that Akame asked... what are they?