Back at camp...

With the Gravekeepers' tomb now eliminated, the Elite Seven were currently in their tent, resting. The one who received the most injuries was Poney. Akira had received some as well, but it wasn't enough to keep him in a bed.

For right now, it was silent for the most part. Green sat quietly at the table, Akame sitting on the bed Poney was on. Akira was nowhere to be seen, knowing that Najasho and Guy weren't with them.

Green: "...So Guy...and chief, too."

Akame: "We don't know for sure yet. He wasn't badly injured. He only fell into a chasm. I can't believe it'd be enough to kill a guy like chief."

Poney: (teary eyed) "Akame..."

Green: "Heh. Yeah, you're right. I bet he'll suddenly turn up on our doorstep."

Poney: (clenches bed sheets) "You're right...he's our indestructible chief."

From the tent flaps, Gozuki enters inside. They all turn their heads to him.

Gozuki: "Have you guys all settled down yet? Come outside. We have to talk."

The Elite Seven step outside, seeing Gin and Natala outside. Leaning up against side of the rocks was Akira, him sharpening his knife. And like before, his eyes were dull, him blaming himself for not being strong enough to bring everyone back alive. The Elite Seven then return their attention to Gozuki, who was gesturing to a corpse that laid on a tarp. The corpse of one of their fallen allies.

Gozuki: "Take a look at this corpse. At first glance, he looks unscathed, right?" (rolls body over) "But upon closer inspection, check this out."

They take a glance at the body, inspecting it as they were instructed. Looking closely, they see a small cut on his side.

Gozuki: "Even though he'd been cut buy the enemy, it was only a graze, so he probably didn't think it was worth reporting. But in the end, it was a poison that got him. Make sure you don't let that happen to any of you guys."

Some of them had grim looks, Akame having a sad one. Despite it being a small wound, and them having a high resistance to poison, they could still die from it. The evidence was there on the corpse of their ally. Gin gritted her teeth in anger as she looks at Gozuki with a glare.

Gin: (thoughts) 'I'm sure it wasn't that he didn't think it was serious enough to report...if you get injured and don't recover well enough, you'll be scrapped. He was just too scared to say anything about it!'

Gozuki: (looks to Gin) "What's with you? You look like you've got something on your mind."

Gin: "Urk...!"

Natala: (sweating nervously) "You know Gin. She's on edge because she was captured and attacked!"

Gin looked at the blonde boy with slight shock. After being freed, he offered her his jacket so she could cover herself up after what Jamo did to her. And now, here he was, trying to cover for her. Despite all the things she's said to him, she was grateful. Unknown to Natala, it had sparked a small grin to appear on Gin's face.

And so the fight against the Gravekeepers came to an end. Akame's and Kurome's team headed to the capital together.

The pain of possibly losing two additional teammates cut deep, but...in a matter of weeks, everybody had managed to shift back into a normal pattern. 

One Month Later, Imperial Palace

Gozuki was called to Bill's office, the leader of the Elite Seven entering inside.

Gozuki: "Regarding Potulu...did some new intel come in?"

Bill: "We discovered one of the buried treasures during the excavation of the tomb's ruins. At this rate, all of the tomb's treasures will be ours. The Capital will be able to avoid a financial crisis. Many sacrifices were made, but...the mission was a success."

Gozuki: "Any signs of the missing members of the assassin units among the ruins...?"

Bill: "...None."

Gozuki: (sigh) "...I see..."

Bill: "On the other hand, we have more data on the enemy...there was one Gravekeeper who was away on a mission. Upon learning of his comrades' deaths, he vowed his revenge against the Empire and then disappeared."

Gozuki: "If he's by himself, I don't think he'll be much of a threat...but...it'd be a pain if he started putting dangerous ideas into people's heads. After we got home, Akame and Akira had asked me...

Akira: "About the last mission..."

Akame: "The Gravekeepers said the Empire started interfering with them without provocation..."

Akira: "Is that true, Father?"

Gozuki: "Those were their exact words."

Bill: "We can always convince them otherwise."

Gozuki: "For now, sure. But as the children learn more and more about the outside world..we'll have a problem on our hands."

Bill: "My team will be fine in that regard. They've been thoroughly brainwashed through osmosis since an early age...to know that 'betraying the Empire is wrong.'"

Gozuki: "Just as I'd expect from you."

Bill: "In any case, it's my fault your team took some heavy losses this past mission. Allow me to make it up to you." (hands envelop) "I'll give you the name of the three select replacements. I've made some 'adjustments' to my team this past month so they'll be able to fight only so long as they regularly take their medicine."

Gozuki: (takes envelop) "I appreciate the offer. The circumstances are unfortunate, but these three could prove powerful assets to the team. Of course, those sisters would be strongest if kept together."

Unknown to the two of them, Akira was outside leaning up against the walls. He had heard everything, the details about the mission. Ever since coming to the Capital, he noticed how most of the citizens had frowns and sad looks on their faces. Just like the ones in the villages they visited outside the Empire.

Now, he was beginning to question his allegiance. Thoughts of abandoning the Empire begun to circulate his mind. But then the faces of his family came into his mind. That's right. He couldn't leave now unless they left with him. However, if he were to tell them now, Natala, Gin, and Kurome would most likely not believe him. Green possibly could and so could Akame, but the red-eyed girl wouldn't leave unless Kurome came with her. And another problem for him was that Poney was completely devoted to Gozuki. Akira clicks his tongue in annoyance, putting his hands into the pockets of his shorts, making his way back to the others.

Later on, Akame and the others were told the news of their new teammates.

Kurome: "We'll get to fight side-by-side from now on, sis!"

Akame: "You said it, Kurome...!"

Natala: "Ahem. I'm Natala. I look forward to working with you here after."

Gin: "And I'm Gin. Same."

Akira: "Just don't slow us down."

Green: "Uh, weren't you the one who suffered the most injuries, aside from Poney?"

Akira: "Shut up before I shove my foot up your ass."

Green: "Y-You okay man?"

Akira: (sigh) "Sorry, just stressed right now. First Corey, then Guy, and now...Najasho...I need to blow off some steam."

Before anyone could ask him what was wrong, Akira was already out the door. He closed the door with a bit of force, it being slammed slightly. They weren't surprised of how he felt about the recent casualties. He never really showed it too much towards Guy and Najasho, but he really cared for them like they were brothers. 

And Cornelia was another case. Akira just wished she was still alive so he could grant her one request. Take her out on a date, just once. Even if it was just one.

Green: "S-Sorry about him, he's just...a bit out of it. Anyway, our current mission is to rest up. I hope you can get used to the way we do things by the time our next orders comes in."

Natala: "Right. I look forward to learning from you."

Poney: "Hmm...Even though I was told I'd make a full recovery, I'm so impatient. Maybe I'll do some one-hit training--"

Akame: (grabs Poney's shoulder with straight face) "Oh no you don't, Poney! You need to take it easy! Leader's orders!"

Poney: (gulps in fear) "Ulp!"

Kurome: "Sis, are you leader? So cool!"

Akame: (shyly scratches cheek) "Just temporarily until chief comes back, but..." (quietly) "Akira seems for fitted for this than I am..."

With Akira

Currently, the icy blue-eyed teen was roaming around the Imperial Palace. He was currently thinking of ways of he could convince all of them to escape with him. But with the current situation now, not only he won't be able to convince them, he won't be strong enough to fight them all if he had to drag them out by force.

It showed with the last mission, he was easily injured by Weneg and was taken out of the battle easily. Not only that, he wasn't the best when it came controlling his powers. If anything, there was one person who had a similar power to him. If he was going to get stronger, he was going to have to look for the Empire's strongest. 

General Esdeath.

Timeskip-Night

Kurome: "All right! Time to sleep with big sis!"

Akame let out a slight laugh as her younger sister happily jumps on the bed to join her, the two of them getting ready for bed.

Akame: "Yep. We'll always do it like this from now on."

Kurome: "Ah! Hold on a sec. I've got to take this before I go to sleep."

The black-eyed girl gets off the bed and heads over to a small table, where a cup of water and a container sat. Akame looks at her younger sister with slight confusion.

Akame: "But you're not hurt, right? What was that for?"

Kurome: "Oh. It's medicine I always have to take. The medicine also makes me stronger, so I have to take it everyday."

Akame: (concerned) "Are you sure you're healthy...?"

Kurome: "Yeah. Sometimes I get a little dizzy, but the doctor says I'll be fine. Besides, it's the only medicine I need now. I used to have to get tons of shots..."

The younger sister was then engulfed into a hug by Akame, which took Kurome by surprise.

Kurome: "Sis..."

Akame: "It must've been so hard for you...Kurome..."

Later...

Kurome: "Can I ask...do you have a boyfriend or anything, sis?"

Akame: "Nope."

Kurome: "Not even someone you like? What about that Akira guy?"

Akame: "Akira is a dear friend. I doubt he holds any romantic feelings for me. Besides, you're all I need, Kurome. Are you seeing anyone, Kurome?"

Kurome: "Nope, nobody! You're all I need sis! ...But I wonder, if I will someday."

Akame: "Maybe. You're the cutest girl in the world, Kurome...guys will come flocking."

Kurome: (giggle) "You'll probably chase them all away, though."

Akame: "Th-That's not true! As long as he says he loves you with all his heart and will make you happy...if he can declare his commitment...then I...I..." 

Kurome: "Whoa! Don't cry, sis!"

Akame: "Just imagining it made the tears well up..."

Kurome: "Heh-heh. It'll be fine. No matter who I meet or what happens...you'll always be my big sister...that'll never change. I love you, sis."

Akame: "Me, too."

The two would fall asleep that night peacefully. However, Akira had heard every word Akame said. He was going to speak with her about what he thought about, since she was one of the people he could trust to tell her. If he told Poney, she'd probably tell him what he found was nonsense and most likely tell Gozuki.

If he told Green, it would be a fifty-fifty chance. But just as he was about to knock, he heard what she said.

"Akira is a dear friend. I doubt he holds any romantic feelings for me."

Akira: "...That's where you're wrong, Akame. I do love you...but I know my feelings will never reach you."

He lets out a dry laugh, slowly feeling tears well up in his eyes. Wiping them away, he looks to the nearby window in the hall. Looking out, he sees a familiar icy blue-haired general.

Jumping out of the window, he makes his way down, finally coming to a stop in front of her. Esdeath rose an eyebrow as she stares at the teen in front of her.

Esdeath: "What is it that you want, brat?"

Akira: "You're General Esdeath, right?"

Esdeath: "Yes, what of it?"

Akira: "I was told you have ice powers. I would like for you to train me."

Esdeath: "Those ice powers are the result of my Teigu. If you don't have something similar, then I can't--"

Akira: "I was born with ice powers. Naturally. Please, train me. With the way I am now, I won't be able to protect my family."

Esdeath: "Hmm...interesting. Alright then, boy. If you wish for me to train you...entertain me."

Confused as to what she meant, Akira tilts his head. Esdeath draws her rapier, a small sadistic smirk on her face. Akira then knew what she meant. Conjuring an ice sword in his hand, he prepares for a fight.

Esdeath saw him conjure the sword with ice. At the very least, he was right. This only widened her smirk even more. All she knew was...training him will be interesting.