Note, some things in this chapter had to be altered in order to fit the story line of this fanfic.

For example, Akame is supposed to be taken to the Capital as someone who is heavily injured during her fight with Merraid. However, since I made it as Akira doing the fight, Akame was not the one who suffered heavy injuries from fighting Merraid.

---

After the battle between Akira and Merraid, the mission was essentially completed. But they were still waiting for the reinforcements they requested to arrive, the Incineration Squad. 

The squad then arrives on giant rabbits, putting Natala onto it as he was the one who was the most heavily injured. Akame was asked to go along with him to the Capital for some business, but the red-eyed girl wished to stay. She still believed that they could still find the icy blue-eyed teen, but even with the Four Rakashasa Demons heightened senses, they could pick up no trace for him.

With no choice but to leave, Akame looked down at her hand, Akira's raven skull necklace clutched tightly in her hand. Moving a finger to her lips, touching it, she thought back to the kiss. Despite how she felt about him before, it was only now she realized how Akira felt about her. Now she wondered.

Could she have given him a chance like Akira did with Gin? Just thinking about it made her mind spiral out of control.

Sighing, Akame got onto the giant rabbit with Gozuki. As the captain of the Incineration Squad, Bols, departs from the area, Gozuki and Bols talking to each other, Akame kept staring at the necklace. Seeing as it wouldn't do her anything if she just kept staring at it, Akame wraps the accessory around her neck, tying it as it now hung from her neck. She remained silent for the ride, but there was one thought that ran through her mind.

Akame: (thoughts) 'Akira...I don't know if you're still alive or not, but...wherever you are, watch over me. No, watch over all of us. Please.'

Timeskip

Arriving at the Capital, Natala was taken to the ICU. It was told that he would need six whole months to make a full recovery. Akame on the other hand was taken in for a check-up to see if she suffered any wounds. 

Thankfully, she hadn't suffered any. The insecticide that she had taken had eliminated the insect eggs that rested inside her. At the moment, she was with Gozuki, the two of them standing in front of the Great General Budo, the one who holds the highest-rank in the Empire.

Budo: "So this is the assassin that rivals the one who defeated the leader of the Oarburghs? Then, where is that one?"

Gozuki: (sigh) "Unfortunately, he lost his own life to allow Akame to escape. While Akira may have been No. 2 of the seven I took in, there are some aspects of Akame that are better than him."

Budo: "I see."

Akame: (thoughts) 'He has such an intimidating presence...who is he?'

Gozuki: "This is Great General Budo. He's the highest-ranking officer of the Imperial Army."

Budo: "Saikyuu asked me to train you."

Gozuki: "It's quite an honor...to be trained firsthand by the Great General himself."

Budo: "I haven't made up my mind about it yet, but I see potential in you. Your name is Akame, is it? Put your hand out."

Doing as instructed, she puts her hand out. Both her and Budo grasps hands, doing a tight handshake.

Budo: "You're relatively strong for one so young...my training probably won't kill you. And you're pretty limber too."

Akame: (thoughts) 'The Great General...if he's the highest-ranking officer in the military, he must be strong.'

Budo: "And you're not overcome with awe in my presence. You have guts, kid. I never would have guessed that being raised in the wild could be so effective."

Gozuki: "We're honored by your generous words."

Budo: "As soon as your teammates arrive, come to the soldier training grounds."

As he said those words, Budo leaves the room. Akame looks to her adopted father.

Akame: "Father...that man just now..."

Gozuki: "Bit of a shock, isn't it? I'm excited to take him up on his offer."

Akame: "He said he'd train us, but what about our missions?"

Gozuki: "There won't be any for a while. We lost a lot of spies to the Oarburghs. I've decided to use this time to bring your skills to the next level."

Akame: "I can't believe the Great General would train us himself."

Gozuki: "It goes to show what great work you've all been doing, Akame. ...You should be happy about this."

Akame: "Hmm..."

Gozuki: "Something you want to tell me?"

Akame: "When Kurome and I were captured by the enemy...the way Kurome was suffering after her medication wore off was not normal. Is Kurome going to be okay taking medicine that does that to her?"

Gozuki: "...As long as she doesn't stop taking it, she'll be fine."

Akame: "But why's she being given medicine in the first place...?"

Gozuki: (sigh) "The medicine will make her stronger. They're only trying to keep her safe. If she weren't taking it...she probably would have died on a mission before ever getting to meet you again."

Akame: "If she has to dose up for every mission, then she shouldn't be fighting in the first place. I'll work to make up Kurome's share. Just let her rest."

Gozuki: "No matter how hard you may work, Akame, you can't cover for Kurome. Besides, if you worked yourself nonstop, you'd collapse."

Akame: "I'll show you I can do it! So just let Kurome re--"

Gozuki: "Has Kurome asked for a break? She hasn't, has she?"

Akame: "..."

Gozuki: "That should be something she requests herself. I won't ignore her desire to continue with her missions."

Akame: (looks down) "...Her desire...right."

Gozuki: "If you were told to quit going on missions because they would endanger your life, would you want to quit?"

Akame: "...No."

Gozuki: "I didn't think so. In this line of work, it's important to honor the individual's wishes. Anything else you need to ask?

Akame: "No, I'm fine."

Gozuki: "Good. Training with the Great General will begin in a few days. Until then, have a nice soak and rest up."

Akame: "I will..."

Now, it was just Akame left in the hall. If she were to ask Gozuki about the state of the people, he would give Akame the same answer he always told her. But Akame does now that something is wrong with the Empire.

Later that night, she thought to investigate the Capital's downtown in secret. It was an area that Gozuki had told the children of the Elite Seven to never visit. But before she went there, she went to Akira's former room, looking around. There didn't seem to be anything except for the cabinet, which was shifted out of place slightly. Moving it out of the way, she found a false panel, removing it to find a small book.

Akame takes the book and opens it, beginning to read it. She recognized the handwriting. It was Akira's.

Akira's Journal: "It's been a few days since we got back from assaulting the Gravekeepers. We lost Najasho and Guy there. But with what Weneg said, it started to pique my interest and what's really going on with the Empire. I should start investigating about it, but I should tread carefully. If Father were to find out about this, there's no telling what he'd do. And I probably can't tell the others yet, as well. Not until I've confirmed my suspicions."

The entry she had just read was from a while back, as it stated it was a few days after attacking the Gravekeepers hideout. She then flipped the page to read the next entry.

Akira's Journal: "I had went to the Capital's downtown area that night. It was one of the places Father never told us to go to, but that just makes it all the more suspicious to head there to investigate. But it seems Father had caught on to my suspicions about heading there and confronted to me about it. Just as I thought, Father is a very cautious man that he always watches his 'children' very closely. There's probably something bigger going on here. And if it's something terrible, maybe. Just maybe I can convince them to leave with me so we can get away from all this. From all this killing. Because from what we've been doing, I'm pretty sure we're killing innocents and those that pose a threat to this Empire. As from what I can see, there's corruption."

Tucking the journal back in it's place, putting the false panel back, Akame moves the desk back in it's place. Grabbing a cloak, Akame moves and leaves under the cover of darkness, heading towards the Capital's Downtown area.

And as soon as she arrived, she saw the very same thing she and Akira would see every time they went to a village. The people were suffering and impoverished. But what shocked her the most is when she went to the plaza. A woman's corpse was put on display, it being an example of the Prime Minister's execution. 

Akame: (thoughts) 'Akira and I were right. The Empire is making the people suffer. We thought we were fighting for the people's happiness...but now...I don't know what to do. I don't know what move I should make next.'

???: "What are you doing here?"

Akame then froze. She slowly turned her head around, meeting Gozuki's gaze.

Akame: "Father!"

Gozuki: "I thought I told you to never come here. And here I find you sneaking in the dead of night...are you going to delinquent me? Just like Akira? I like obedient little children. Like Cornelia and Poney. They are their Father's pride and joy. On the other hand, bad little children who don't listen to me get no mercy." (grin) "Which are you, Akame?"

Silence envelops the two as Akame nervously stares at the older man. Many thoughts were running through her mind. One, should she take him on here, she would lose, considering Gozuki himself trained her and knows her every move. And another would be the possibility of dying and leaving everyone. It was something she couldn't do.

Gozuki: "Well, Akame? Are you my daughter? Or a delinquent?"

Akame: "...I'm not sure. I don't know...what's right anymore."

Gozuki: "I commend you for speaking honestly. If you had lied to me, I would have had to punish you."

Akame: "I also believe that the Empire is in a bad state."

Gozuki: "I'll tell you again, like I said to Akira as well, the way things are now is far better than if there were war and rebellion. Try reading a history book. We're just lucky we're not living in the time when there were sixteen countries and it was constant chaotic conflict among them. This Empire has been around for 1,000 years. Trust in it."

Akame: "..."

Gozuki: "As long as there are people trying their best, the natural self-cleansing process will work. You're to talented to lose, which is why I'll let you off with just a warning tonight." (puts hand on Murasame) "But if you're still unsure by the time dawn breaks...you'll be treated as an obstacle to peace. And I will cut you down."

In one swift motion, Gozuki drew the magnificent blade of Murasame, the edge of it being put up to Akame's neck. While she looked unfazed, she was still surprised as to how fast the weapon's blade was moved to her neck.

Gozuki: "You're braver than I thought, Akame. It's because you've toed the line of death so many times, I'm sure."

Akame: "I know you'd never actually cut me."

Gozuki: "Do you not fear this sword? Just one small nick, and you'd die instantly."

Akame: "...It's abilities are certainly fearsome, but...from what I've seen of it, I'd say it's beautiful."

Gozuki: (thoughts) 'She calls this demon blade "beautiful." This girl...does indeed have a gift.' "Well, I'd only cut you if you were a delinquent. But if you're a good girl..." (pats Akame's head) "Then I'll love you like a good father. So let me be there for you...Akame. And let tonight be something we can look back on and laugh at as a mere 'rebellious phase.'"

The Next Day

Both Green and Akame were in the library, the red-eyed girl taking Gozuki's advice on reading as much history as possible about the Empire. At the same time, Green was concerned.

Green: "What!? What happened with you and Dad last night!?"

Akame: "...I'm sorry. I remember you warned me and Akira beforehand, Green. But there was no deceiving him. By choosing to voice my true feelings, it all worked out..."

Green: "I'm just glad it didn't blow up in your face..."

Akame: "I've given it a lot of thought, but I've come to the conclusion that I'll continue doing missions for the Empire. If we entered an age of warfare...it would become even worse for the people...and there's a chance the conflict would last over a hundred years...the more history books I read, the more that point hits home."

Green: "You can say that again. I have a similar opinion to yours, Akame, only I guess you could call me a realist. Having seen so many different regions, I understand fully that the Empire is going bad. But it isn't up to me to think about what can be done to resolve that. I've already got my hands full carrying out my missions and working hard to ensure I can live another day with everybody..."

Akame: "I understand that point of view."

Green: "And I understand yours. But we shouldn't bring any of this up in front of Poney and Kurome. They trust Father implicitly...because they're so pure. But that's also what makes them so good."

Akame: "...I know." (smiles) "Thanks for everything, Green."

Green: (blushes) "Wh-What else do you expect? I love you. A-And it's as if you already have someone, Akame."

Akame: (looks down) "Yeah...I never could." (thoughts) 'Akira...'

Green: "Th-Then nothing has changed. I'm still your first candidate for a boyfriend!"

Akame: "I appreciate the sentiment. I really do, but...it will only shorten your life, Green. I think you ought to forget about there ever being an 'us.'" (thoughts) 'I don't want to experience more of that pain...no more.'

Green: "Huh!? Why!?"

Akame: "I could make you stronger, but I could equally make you weaker."

Green: "Are you talking about 'killers don't need love'? But you love Kurome, so I can't imagine you actually feeling that way..."

Akame: "We're sisters. And you and I are practically family too, Green. Just as was...Akira. We're fated to be together...but only in that capacity."

Green: "Are you implying that people are already born with enough uncertainties...that there's no need to add entirely new ones?"

Akame: "I believe the kinds of missions we go on...increase our chances of dying."

Green: "...I take back what I said about nothing changing. You've changed, Akame. The old Akame would have never thought this way."

Akame: "...Maybe."

The days would soon pass as Akame and the others would soon start training with the Great General Budo. It was severe, but it helped Akame and her team develop the necessary skills in hand-to-hand, Budo even benefiting from training with Akame. Esdeath would soon come back to the Capital to notice that the Elite Seven had returned.

But when she asked for Akira, she was informed of his passing. Due to her rule, her creed, the strong live and the weak die, she thought Akira was weak, considering he died. But if anything, there was one thing that she did enjoy about. Esdeath did enjoy training Akira, even if it was for a short time. She admired the eagerness he had for gaining power to protect the ones he loves. It was something that not even she could have, and she respected that about Akira.

Kurome had underwent some fine-tuning from Bill so they could prepare for their next mission. In the meantime, the Empire's spy network had been reestablished and restructured.

And after a good few days, Bill and Gozuki met up with the Prime Minister's assistant, Saikyuu.

Saikyuu: "Thank you for waiting. The support preparations are in order. The assassination unit will go to Mount Hakuba and take down the leader of bandits. They're a formidable bunch when they form a united front."

Gozuki: "We'll leave at once."

Saikyuu: "That whole area is allied to the Rebel army and dangerous. Take care."

Elsewhere...

Four figures wearing cloaks could be seen at the top of a hill, a fifth figure at the bottom. The fifth person then looks to the other four.

???1: Everyone. We've determined our destination. It is Mount Hakuba."

???2: "If we go there, are you certain the Empire's assassination unit will appear, Mudi?"

Mudi: "Yes, without a doubt. Apparently, they're coming to wipe out the leader of the bandits."

???2: "The Hakuba area is certainly perceived as a threat to peace in the eyes of the Empire. And they have connections with the Rebel army."

Mudi: "Are you feeling nostalgic for the Rebel army?"

???2: "I abandoned that identity!"

???3: "At long last, I will have my revenge. I'm overjoyed."

Mudi: "Don't get hot-blooded. We'll split the spoils equally between us."

???4: "You don't have to tell me that."

???5: "Hmph. Whatever. Just don't get in my way."

Mudi: "I'm counting on your skills. Especially the both of you."

One of them remove their cloaks with the other taking off his hood, the both of them being familiar faces. One of them had spiky blonde hair, having golden eyes, but his left eye had a dark area with a mark under his eye. The other one had black hair with icy blue eyes, his left eye also having the same feature as the blonde teen.

The two were two members of the Elite Seven that were thought to be dead. Kill rank No. 1, Najasho, and Kill rank No. 2, Akira.

Najasho: "You got it."

Akira: "Affirmative."

Mudi: (smirk) "Then let's go. To the gruesome carnival of blood."